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Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in indoor air
Marti Kohler1, Markus Zennegg, Roger Waeber
1Swiss Federal laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA), Department of Mobility and Environment, Uberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland. martin.kohler@empa.ch
Environmental Science & Technology
|December 19, 2002
Summary
Indoor air contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from building materials, reaching high levels in some sites. Coplanar PCBs, like PCB 118, contribute significantly to toxicity, with estimated daily intake below safety guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants found in various indoor environments.
- Joint sealings are identified as a significant source of PCB contamination in buildings.
- Coplanar PCBs, known as dioxin-like PCBs, pose particular health concerns due to their toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine indoor air concentrations of coplanar PCBs in different building types.
- To identify the most prevalent coplanar PCB congeners in indoor air.
- To assess the correlation between total PCB levels and coplanar PCB toxicity equivalents (TEQ).
Main Methods:
- Air sampling was conducted across 29 sites, including residential and industrial buildings.
- Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify PCB congeners.
- Concentrations were expressed as total PCBs and coplanar PCBs in toxicity equivalents (TEQ).
Main Results:
- Total PCB concentrations in indoor air reached up to 4,200 ng/m³ in general buildings and 13,000 ng/m³ in a contaminated industrial building.
- PCB 118 was the most abundant coplanar PCB congener, followed by PCB 105, PCB 123, and PCB 77.
- A strong correlation was observed between total PCB levels and coplanar PCB TEQ, with 1,000 ng/m³ total PCB corresponding to 1.2 pg TEQ/m³.
Conclusions:
- Indoor air PCB levels can be significant, primarily due to building materials like joint sealings.
- Coplanar PCBs are present in indoor air, with PCB 118 being a major contributor to the toxic equivalent.
- Estimated daily intake of coplanar PCBs via indoor air is likely below established safety limits, but monitoring remains crucial.