The challenge of producing reliable results under highly variable conditions and the role of passive air samplers in the Global Monitoring Plan

The purpose of this article is to summarize the foundations for world-wide air monitoring for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Although the main driver is the monitoring required under the Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) of the Stockholm Convention (SC) on POPs, there are many linkages to developments in research and capacity-building efforts. These efforts include new technologies, programs, infrastructures, capacity building and training activities. The ultimate goal is to move towards a comprehensive, harmonized framework to fulfill the needs of the GMP and to address data gaps.Several international workshops have specifically dealt with these technical and logistical needs and considered strategies for future work and reporting needs for producing reliable results. At the same time, the successful completion of the first Global Monitoring Report resulted in insights regarding the future of the GMP and associated needs for reporting temporal trends in the context of effectiveness evaluation of the SC. The potential role of passive air samplers (PASs) in meeting the challenges of the GMP has been realized. These PASs provide complementary data to existing high volume air-sampling networks in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

► The foundations for world-wide air monitoring for priority organic pollutants (POPs). ► The goal is a comprehensive, harmonized framework addressing data gaps. ► For data, we need to ensure internal consistency and comparability among programs. ► Monitoring of newly listed POPs should be started so that baselines are established. ► The importance of capacity building at national and regional levels was recognized.