Available online at www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012, 3 (2):634-643 ISSN: 0976-8610 CODEN (USA): AASRFC 634 Pelagia Research Library Accumulation of Metals and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Soils around Electric Transformers in the Central Region of Ghana Bentum J. K. a *, Dodoo, D. K. a and Kwakye P. K b a Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences University of Cape Coast, Ghana b Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Ghana ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Twenty six hot spots of PCBs pollution in the central Region of Ghana were investigated. Soil samples were collected from around twenty six transformers in the central region. The soil samples were extracted with hexane- acetone mixture (1:1 v/v) for 16 hours and the extract cleaned up with concentrated sulphuric acid (1+1), 5% (w/v) aqueous potassium permanganate and copper granules. The extract was eluate with hexane: dichloromethane (97:3 v/v), concentrated to 1 ml, transferred into a pre cleaned 2 ml vial with acetate ethyl resins and acetate ethyl added to the vial to make the total volume 2 ml. This was analyzed for PC Bsusing GC – ECD. The soils were digested withHNO 3 and HClO 4 acid, and analyzed for metals by Varian 235 AAS. The mean concentration of the ∑PCB (8.17 ± 2.96 μg/kg) was much lower than the 25 mg/kg recommended level. The ∑PCB ranged between 1.32 and 12.94 μg/kg. The mean concentration (in mg/kg) of the metals were Zn (94.70 ±123.87) >Pb (26.68± 37.27) > Cu (21.63±20.51) > Al (0.70± 0.38) > Fe (0.06±0.03)> Ag (0.06±0.20). The variations in the levels of the metals were in the order Ag >Pb> Zn >Cu >Al > Fe. Very few site were found to be contaminated with metals, but the level of metal contamination was very low. There was no significant correlation between the PCBs and any of the metals. However, significant relations were observer among some metals. Correlations between the metals agreed with the results obtained by PCA. The sources of the PCBs and metal were anthropogenic. ______________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) constitute a large class of compounds produced by the partial or complete chlorination of the biphenyl molecule. PCBs were first synthesized in 1864[1], but the commercial production of PCBs began in the United States in 1929 in response to the electrical industry’s need. PCBs are not natural components of the environment. They were first identified as environmental contaminants in 1966, during the analysis of environmental extracts for DDT and related metabolites. The manufacture of PCBs was banned in the United States in 1977, due to potential health hazard[2].Despite its ban in Western countries, a large proportion of PCBs remain in transformers and capacitors in most developing countries [3,4]. PCB pollution in the environment is worldwide [5-9].Their unusual persistence coupled with their tendency to accumulate in living organism raises concern because of the potential adverse effects they can have on various organisms, including humans and their endocrine disrupting capacities [10-12]. The source of PCBs in developing countries has been attributed mainly to the importation and use of transformers and capacitors containing PCB transformer oils. These oils enter the environment through poor handling of damaged electrical equipment, leakages, spillage during retro filling and illegal dumping of PCB containing waste in the seas of these countries. Transformer oils have been found to contain some metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, lead,