Long-term environmental monitoring of persistent organic pollutants and metals in a chemical/petrochemical area: Human health risks Martí Nadal a , Marta Schuhmacher a, b , José L. Domingo a, * a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain b Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d’Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain article info Article history: Received 17 February 2011 Received in revised form 6 April 2011 Accepted 7 April 2011 Keywords: Micropollutants Soil Vegetation Chemical/Petrochemical industries Tarragona County (Spain) abstract Organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), poly- chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- bons (PAHs), as well as some metals are periodically monitored in soil and vegetation samples collected in Tarragona County (Spain). We here report the temporal trends of the concentrations of the above pollutants between the initial survey (2002) and that recently (2009) performed. The area under evaluation was divided into 4 sections (chemical, petrochemical, urban/residential and unpolluted). In general terms, urban soils presented the highest concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCNs and PAHs, confirming that traffic is a very important emission source of these pollutants. In addition, substantially higher levels of PAHs and some metals were found in vegetation samples from the petrochemical complex. The assessment of health risks of these contaminants indicated that the current concentrations of micro- pollutants did not mean additional non-carcinogenic or cancer risks for the population living in the zone. Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Petrochemical industries have been identified as important emission sources of a wide range of chemical substances, such as volatile compounds, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (Gariazzo et al., 2005; Kaisarevic et al., 2007). Occupational exposure studies have been frequently and mainly performed in order to analyze the health effects in workers of those facilities by means of biomonitoring surveys (Paustenbach et al., 1997). However, not only workers, but also non-occupationally exposed populations living in the neighborhood, may be potentially exposed to chemicals released during the production and refining of crude oil and derivatives. In addition, oil refineries are commonly located in industrial poles together with other potentially pollutant stationary (e.g., chemical companies) and mobile (heavy-duty traffic) sources. Globally, the potential exposure to a large set of chemicals may be substantial for inhabitants living in nearby residential zones. Tarra- gona County (Catalonia, Spain) concentrates an important complex of industrial activity. Since the 1960s, an increasing number of chemical and petrochemical companies, including a big oil refinery, a chlor-alkali plant, several plastic manufacture chemical companies, a hazardous waste incinerator, and a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), have been settled down in that area. Around half-million residents live in city centers and residential zones relatively close to industrial pollutant sources. Furthermore, an important seasonal activity is generated, reaching a population of up to 750,000 inhabitants during the summer. In addition to the significant industrial pressure, light- and heavy-traffic is very dense through various motorways and highways crossing the area. The presence of these anthropogenic sources may mean an important release of chemical pollutants to atmosphere, soils and water, which may ultimately derive in an increase of health risks for the local population. Under the framework of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) signed in 2001, a list of chemicals whose production, use and storage must be eliminated or seriously restricted was elaborated. Among these, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were included in the initial list of chemicals, commonly known as “dirty dozen”. However, in recent years, a number of other chemicals have been also cataloged as POPs, enlarging that list, while pollutants such as PCNs (polychlorinated naphthalenes) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ealready listed in the UNECE Protocole, have been also proposed. Because of the interest of the local authorities and residents, in 2002 a monitoring study was performed in Tarragona County to * Corresponding author. E-mail address: joseluis.domingo@urv.cat (J.L. Domingo). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Environmental Pollution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envpol 0269-7491/$ e see front matter Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2011.04.007 Environmental Pollution 159 (2011) 1769e1777