Reductions and changing patterns of ambient PCDD/Fs in the UK: evidence and implications.

Archived herbage samples taken between the mid-1800s and the present day from the Park Grass permanent grassland experiment in the UK were analysed for PCDD/Fs. The concentrations of SigmaP((4-8))CDD/Fs ranged between 15 (in 2003-2004) and 320 pg/g (in 1963) and the SigmaTEQ ranged between 0.11 (2003-2004) and 2.

Verifying emission factors and national POPs emission inventories for the UK using measurements and modelling at two rural locations.

Different approaches are used to verify the adequacy of emission factors (EFs) and their use in emission inventories of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The applicability of EFs was tested using atmospheric dispersion modelling to predict atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and resulting toxic equivalents (SigmaTEQ) and particulate matter <10 microm (PM(10)) in two rural locations in northern England (UK). The modelling was based on general assumptions of fuel composition, consumption and heating needs to simulate emissions of POPs from the domestic burning of coal and wood where ambient measurements were made in the winter of 1998.

PCDD/Fs in Norwegian and U.K. soils: implications for sources and environmental cycling.

This paper presents data on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in a set of well-characterized, undisturbed surface (0-5 cm) and subsurface background soils from the U.K. and Norway.

Detailed study of factors controlling atmospheric concentrations of PCNs.

Atmospheric concentrations of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) (108 samples in total) were measured at two rural/ semirural sites in England and one remote site on the west coast of Ireland in the years 2001 and 2000, respectively. Detailed analysis of the factors affecting concentrations is performed. At Mace Head (MH) Ireland, concentrations of sigmaPCNs ranged between 1.

Emission factors and importance of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PCNs, PAHs and PM10 from the domestic burning of coal and wood in the U.K.

This paper presents emission factors (EFs) derived for a range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) when coal and wood were subject to controlled burning experiments, designed to simulate domestic burning for space heating. A wide range of POPs were emitted, with emissions from coal being higher than those from wood. Highest EFs were obtained for particulate matter, PM10, (approximately 10 g/kg fuel) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (approximately 100 mg/ kg fuel for sigmaPAHs).

PBDEs in the atmosphere of three locations in western Europe.

Atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs (108 samples in total) were measured at 2 rural/semirural sites in England and 1 remote site on the west coast of Ireland in the years 2001 and 2000, respectively. Detailed analysis of the factors affecting concentrations is performed. The United Kingdom (UK) has been a major producer and user of PBDEs.

Seasonal and long-term trends in atmospheric PAH concentrations: evidence and implications.

Atmospheric monitoring data for selected polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were compiled from remote, rural and urban locations in the UK, Sweden, Finland and Arctic Canada. The objective was to examine the seasonal and temporal trends, to shed light on the factors which exert a dominant influence over ambient PAH levels. Urban centres in the UK have concentrations 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than in rural Europe and up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than Arctic Canada.