Application of polyoxymethylene passive air sampler to monitor hydrophobic organics in air around a confined disposal facility

Volatile losses of hydrophobic organic contaminants from a confined disposal facility (CDF) containing dredged contaminated sediments is substantial concern to surrounding communities. A partitioning passive sampling approach using polyoxymethylene (POM) was applied measure long-term average (weeks months) air concentrations resulting evaporation at CDF. Measurements 10 locations the CDF POM samplers indicated that highest ΣPCBs∼13 ng/m3 and ΣPAHs ∼65 were measured during an active dredge material placement period when temperature 23 °C. The measurements dominated by more volatile, lower molecular weight compounds each type. Partitioning post with 5 °C corrected for ∑PCBs ∑PAHs ∼3 45 respectively. agreed well available weekly 24-h high-volume samples (HVAS) averaged over equilibration time congener number PCBs (15, 18, 20/28 31) naphthalene but as much times than HVAS high PAHs. difference likely result greater association these PAHs particulates sources other sampler achieved goal providing concentration without having collect, analyze multiple although technique largely limited different complicate its use analysis.