Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

Passive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n = 9), rural (n = 7) and agricultural sites (n = 3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m−3) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ6PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ3PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m−3) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a “reverse gradient” (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200 pg m−3, α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m−3) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76 ± 6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45 ± 11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes.