Organochlorine Pesticides in Urban Air: Concentrations, Sources, Seasonal Trends and Correlation with Meteorological Parameters

Abstract The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in both the gas and particulate phases of urban air samples were determined. The samples were collected between August 2006 and May 2007 at four different locations in Konya, Turkey. OCPs were analyzed by gas chromatography with micro electron capture detection (GC/μ‐ECD). The average total (gas + particulate) concentrations of OCPs were determined to be between 809 and 6309 pg/m3. The highest OCP levels were found in autumn. Total hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH, sum of α, β, γ, δ‐HCH), total DDT's (sum ofp,pi‐DDT,p,pi‐DDD andp,pi‐DDE) and endosulfan compounds (sum of endosulfan I, endosulfan II and endosulfan sulfate) were about 43, 25 and 17% of total OCPs, respectively. OCPs were predominantly detected in the particulate phase. Correlations were observed between OCP concentration and temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and Total Suspended Particulate, PM10, but the variation between meteorological parameters with OCP concentrations could not be explained completely. Despite banned/restricted use in Turkey, all the OCPs were found in urban air.p,pi‐DDT/p,pi‐DDE ratios were above 11 which is an indication of current use of DDT compounds. Therefore, it could be suggested that Konya is an actively contributing region to organochlorine pesticides pollutants in Turkey.