Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

In order to investigate landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musk fragrances to the atmosphere, air samples were simultaneously taken at two landfills (one active and one closed) and two reference sites using high volume air samplers. Contaminants were accumulated on glass fiber filters (particle phase) and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges (gas phase), extracted by methyl-tert butyl ether/acetone (neutral PFCs), methanol (ionic PFCs) or hexane/acetone (PBDEs, musk fragrances), and detected by GC–MS (neutral PFCs, PBDEs, musk fragrances) or HPLC–MS/MS (ionic PFCs). Total concentrations ranged from 84 to 706 pg m−3 (volatile PFCs, gas phase), from

Research highlights
► Landfills are sources of synthetic musk fragrances to ambient air.
► Landfills are minor sources of PFCs to ambient air (compared to musk fragrances).
► Landfills might be sources of PBDEs to ambient air.
► Active landfills are more significant sources of these contaminants than closed landfills.