Global pilot study for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using PUF disk passive air samplers Tom Harner a, * , Karla Pozo a , Todd Gouin b , Anne-Marie Macdonald a , Hayley Hung a , Jill Cainey c , Andrew Peters d a Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T4, Canada b Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada; Burlington, ON, Canada c Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, Tasmania 7330, Australia d Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Bermuda Received 22 September 2005; accepted 20 December 2005 Seasonal sampling of ambient POPs at global background sites is logistically feasible and highlights spatial difference in compound distribution. Abstract Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed at global background sites, to test logistical issues associated with a global monitoring net- work for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). a-HCH, exhibited relatively high and uniform concentrations (17e150 pg/m 3 ) at temperate and arctic sites with elevated concentrations associated with trans-Pacific inflow. Concentrations were much lower (<5 pg/m 3 ) in Bermuda, Chile and Cape Grim. Concentrations for g-HCH, the main component of lindane, were spatially similar to the a-HCH pattern but lower in magnitude (typically, <10 pg/m 3 ). Chlordane concentrations (sum of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane and trans-nonachlor) were also low (<10 pg/m 3 ). Diel- drin concentrations were in the range 2e25 pg/m 3 at most sites but elevated in Bermuda. Back trajectories suggest that advection from Africa and the US may contribute. Endosulfan, a popular current-use pesticide, exhibited highest concentrations ranging from tens to hundreds of pg/m 3 . There was good agreement between duplicate samplers at each site and PUF disk-derived air concentrations agreed with high volume data. Few logistical/analytical problems were encountered in this pilot study. Crown Copyright Ó 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Passive air samplers; POPs; Persistent organic pollutants; Spatial trends 1. Introduction On May 17, 2004, the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was ratified (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2005, http://www.pops.int/). This document which is coordinated through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is intended to reduce or eliminate the use, discharges and emissions of POPs. Initially, a set of 12 chemicals were identified as priority POPs e they include: nine pesticide classes (aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, en- drin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene, and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), one industrial chemi- cal class (PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls) and PCDD/Fs (polychlorinateddibenzodioxins/furans) that are associated with various industrial/combustion emissions. Article 16 of the Stockholm Convention deals with its ‘‘ef- fectiveness evaluation’’. The intent is that after 4 years of entry into force, the effectiveness of the Convention will be assessed through a global monitoring program. Regional and global en- vironmental transport of POPs will also be addressed. To assist member countries with this task, UNEP Chemicals published * Corresponding author. ARQM Atmospheric Environment Service, Envi- ronment Cananda, 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada. Tel.: þ1 416 739 4837; fax: þ1 416 739 5708. E-mail address: tom.harner@ec.gc.ca (T. Harner). 0269-7491/$ - see front matter Crown Copyright Ó 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2005.12.053 Environmental Pollution 144 (2006) 445e452 www.elsevier.com/locate/envpol