Passive air sampling networks combined with multivariate statistics reveal widespread non-Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyl sources to the Canadian atmosphere

Oh, Jenny; Shunthirasingham, Chubashini; Zhan, Faqiang; Li, Yuening; Lei, Ying; Chaaben, Amina; Lu, Zhe; Lee, Kelsey; Gobas, Frank; Hung, Hayley; Wania, Frank

doi:https://open-science.canada.ca/handle/123456789/2571

Passive air sampling networks combined with multivariate statistics reveal widespread non-Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyl sources to the Canadian atmosphere

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dc.contributor.author: Oh, Jenny; Shunthirasingham, Chubashini; Zhan, Faqiang; Li, Yuening; Lei, Ying; Chaaben, Amina; Lu, Zhe; Lee, Kelsey; Gobas, Frank; Hung, Hayley; Wania, Frank
dc.date.accepted: 2024-04-09
dc.date.accessioned: 2024-06-07T18:07:54Z
dc.date.available: 2024-06-07T18:07:54Z
dc.date.issued: 2024-04-18
dc.date.submitted: 2023-11-08
dc.description.abstract - en: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the North American atmosphere were originally thought to arise through volatilization of commercial Aroclor mixtures, but there is growing evidence of atmospheric emissions of non-Aroclor, i.e., unintentionally produced, PCBs. Here, we report on measurements of all 209 PCB congeners in169 passive air samples collected between 2019 and 2022 using networks established around the Salish Sea, British Columbia (BC), and along the St. Lawrence River and Estuary, Quebec (QC), in Canada. Hierarchical cluster analysis and positive matrix factorization were employed to identify, distinguish, and quantify different PCB sources to the atmosphere. PCBs were detected at every single site, with elevated levels found in the urban centers of the region (Vancouver, BC; Montreal, Quebec City, QC), including in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator. We found evidence that suggests legacy Aroclor emissions, e.g., associated with electrical equipment storage in Pointe-Claire, QC, and building emissions in Burnaby, BC. We also identified several locations (e.g., in Sept-Îles and Alma, QC) where non-Aroclor sources are estimated to contribute over 40% of PCBs. In particular, PCB congeners 47, 51, and 68, known byproducts of 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide (2,4-DCBP) decomposition during silicone rubber and polyester production, were strongly associated with PCB-7 and -25. Although Aroclors were estimated to remain the main contributors of PCBs to the Canadian atmosphere, unintentional production is making a non-negligible contribution (estimated to be at least 10%). Of the known non-Aroclor sources, 2,4-DCBP is likely still used in North America with little to no regulation.
dc.description.fosrcfull - en: This document is the unedited Author’s version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in ACS ES&T Air, copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work see <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00081">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00081</a>.
dc.description.fosrcfull-fosrctranslation - fr: Ce document est la version non éditée d'un travail soumis par l'auteur qui a été accepté pour publication dans ACS ES&T Air, droit d'auteur © 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society après évaluation par les pairs. Pour accéder au travail final édité et publié, voir <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00081">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00081</a>.
dc.identifier.issn: 2837-1402
dc.identifier.uri: https://open-science.canada.ca/handle/123456789/2571
dc.language.iso: en
dc.publisher: American Chemical Society
dc.relation.isreplacedby: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00081
dc.rights - en: Open Government Licence - Canada
dc.rights - fr: Licence du gouvernement ouvert - Canada
dc.rights.openaccesslevel - en: Green
dc.rights.openaccesslevel - fr: Vert
dc.rights.uri - en: https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada
dc.rights.uri - fr: https://ouvert.canada.ca/fr/licence-du-gouvernement-ouvert-canada
dc.subject - en: Air; Nature and environment; Science and technology
dc.subject - fr: Air; Nature et environnement; Sciences et technologie
dc.subject.en - en: Air; Nature and environment; Science and technology
dc.subject.fr - fr: Air; Nature et environnement; Sciences et technologie
dc.title - en: Passive air sampling networks combined with multivariate statistics reveal widespread non-Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyl sources to the Canadian atmosphere
dc.type - en: Submitted manuscript
dc.type - fr: Manuscrit soumis
local.article.journaltitle: ACS ES&T Air
local.pagination: 22 pages, annexes
local.peerreview - en: No
local.peerreview - fr: Non

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