Assessment of the spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in urban soil of China. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Haiyan; Liu, Yongfeng; Shu, Xingquan; Ma, Limin; Pan, Yuwei
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 243(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Persistent organic pollutants -- Urban soil -- Spatio-temporal distribution -- Source apportionment -- Health risks; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Long-term (2004–2018) persistent organic pollutants (POPs) data were collected for urban soils of China. The dataset included concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils, comprising a range of different compounds. Understanding the source of OCP and PCB pollution is an important step in controlling and reducing pollution levels in the environment. This study aimed to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution, pollution sources, and potential health risks of OCPs and PCBs in urban soils in different regions of China. It was found that the total OCP concentrations ranged from 7.6 to 37331 μg/kg with a mean value of 2861 μg/kg, and PCBs concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 123467 μg/kg with a mean value of 4984 μg/kg. The highest OCP concentrations were observed in Beijing and Hebei, whereas the highest PCB concentrations were found in the Zhejiang province. The geographical distribution showed that the total mean concentration of POPs of urban soil was much higher in East China than in West China. According to the isomer ratios, about 64% of provinces and cities showed new sources of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) input and dicofol input was found in 30% of China. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in urban soils was mainly derived from fresh usage of lindane (γ-HCH) in most regions of China. Lifetime carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of OCPs and PCBs through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact indicated that PCBs in urban soils of China often exceeded safe levels. The total lifetime carcinogenic risk values of PCBs were higher than the individual lifetime acceptable risk level (10 −4 ) in 64% of the studied regions and the non-carcinogenic risk values exceeded the target risk level (10 −1 ) in 53% of the regions. The improved knowledge of the distribution and main pollution sources of POPs in urban soil of China as a result of this study can contribute to better decision-making support for soil pollution control and monitoring. Highlights: Nation-wide presence of OCPs and PCBs in Chinese urban soils was investigated. Levels of OCPs and PCBs were higher in eastern China than in western China. No temporal trend was found for OCPs, but marginal trend was observed for PCBs. In some regions, exposure to PCBs posed serious health risks to humans.