Detection of Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Cordoba City Air

GROSSO, MERCEDES; RIMONDINO, GUIDO N.; MALANCA, FABIO E.

Congreso; SETAC Latin America 14th Biennial Meeting; 2021

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic resistant compounds, most of them products of anthropogenic activities (pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, among others). They can be transported long distances from their emission source, and can be bioaccumulated in fatty tissues, with adverse consequences on both, the environment and the human health. The present work shows the results of the monitoring of a group of chlorinated POPs in the air of Córdoba City for a 7-month sampling period. The study site, located on the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (31.4367°S; 64.1923°W) corresponds to an urban area, surrounded by large areas with agricultural activity. A high-volume air sampler equipped with polyurethane foam and quartz fiber filters were used to collect the sample during 72 hours. Procedures were carried out in accordance with US-EPA methods. The compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector and pollutants were identified using multi-component standards of chlorinated pesticides. The species identified were: lindane (γ-HCH), α-HCH, δ-HCH, Aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, trifluralin, hexachlorocyclobenzene (HBC), dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) and α-chlordane. As expected, the higher concentration of POPs detected corresponds to DCPA (6-40 pg/m3), according to its application is not-forbidden. Concentrations of γ-HCH, α-HCH, δ-HCH and HBC are low in comparison with values reported for the Atlantic coast. Aldrin concentrations (8-54 pg/m3) and endrín (banned in Argentina since the 1990s), and their metabolites dieldrín and endrín aldehyde, respectively, were detected. Also α-chlordane and DDE (the most common decomposition products of DDT, a pesticide banned since 1972) were detected, pointing out their high persistence. Although the presence of endosulfan (banned in Argentina during the last decade) was detected below the limit of quantification of the methodology used. Although the concentrations found are lower than those considered harmful to human health, there is evidence of the presence of non-permitted compounds in the air.