Feasibility of using low density polyethylene sheets to detect atmospheric organochlorine pesticides in Alexandria, Egypt

Khairy, Mohammed A.; Lohmann, Rainer

Feasibility of using low density polyethylene sheets to detect atmospheric organochlorine pesticides in Alexandria, Egypt

2013

Khairy, Mohammed A. | Lohmann, Rainer

Egypt is a major agricultural country in Africa with a known past of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) application, yet data on atmospheric levels of OCPs in Egypt is sparse. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers were therefore deployed for 3 weeks each at 11 locations in July, 2010 and January, 2011 in Alexandria to screen for gas-phase OCPs. Performance reference compounds were used to investigate the uptake kinetics. Field-derived sampler-air partitioning coefficients (KPE-As) for OCPs were significantly correlated against the compounds' subcooled liquid vapor pressure (log PL): [log KPE-A = −0.77 ± 0.07*log PL + 6.35 ± 0.13 (R2 = 0.90; n = 17; SE = 0.19; p < 0.001)]. Estimated and measured OCP concentrations in Alexandria agreed well (factor difference ≤ 2) indicating the feasibility of monitoring OCPs using LDPEs. OCP concentrations ranged from <LOD to 168 pg/m3. Calculated isomeric ratios indicated recent usage of chlordanes and endosulfans.

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