Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Plastic Resin Pellets from Six Beaches on the Accra-Tema Coastline, Ghana.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are organic compounds, known to be carcinogenic and banned by the Stockholm Convention. PCBs are hydrophobic substances able to accumulate in organic materials, including plastic pellets. Plastic resin pellets are industrial raw materials that are remolded finished products for industrial and domestic use, commonly used for packaging. Plastic resin pellets were chosen as the medium for monitoring hydrophobic contaminants because they are able to adsorb PCB contaminants. Pellets can be unintentionally washed into the ocean where hydrophobic contaminants such as PCBs are also deposited.

Objectives: We aimed to identify PCB congeners and quantify PCB pollution levels in the marine environment using resin plastic pellets collected from six beaches along the Accra-Tema coastline in Ghana.

Methods: Plastic resin pellets (5 g) were extracted with 200 mL of n-hexane for 16 hours by Soxhlet extraction. Concentrations of PCBs from the extracts were determined using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector.

Results: The individual PCB congeners detected were PCB 28, 52, 101, 105, 138, 153, 156 and 180. PCB 28 was detected at all six beaches, with a total concentration of 43.5 ng/g pellet (mean/beach 7.25 +/- 2.47 ng/g pellet; CV = 34%), while PCB 138 was only detected on one beach (Castle Beach) at a total concentration of 0.8 ng/g pellet. The concentration of PCBs ranged from 7.4 ng/g (Sunset Beach) to 47.5 ng/g (Castle Beach) (mean 16.4±15.4 ng/g per beach; CV=94%).

Discussion: PCB concentrations at Castle Beach have been studied previously, showing an increase from 39 ng/g to 47.5 ng/g, whereas levels decreased significantly from 28 ng/g to 14.2 ng/g in Sakumono Beach over the span of three years.

Conclusions: The concentrations of four detected PCB congeners (28, 52, 101 and 156) were significantly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) allowable daily intake of 6 ng/g food per day for PCBs. A more efficient industrial and domestic waste disposal system is advocated for Ghana.