Wolska et al. (2014) reviewed the pollution sources of non-chiral PCBs. The
authors used available data, that is, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diagnostic
ratios for source elucidation and characterisation purposes. According to the authors,
the major sources of pollution were sewage outfalls, landfills and bottom sediments
of the Gulf of Gdansk. The group of PCBs belongs today to the most investigated
environmental pollutants on the globe. A variety of studies are currently reported on
long-term temporal and spatial trends on both a global and a regional scale on a large
variety of environmental and human matrices (Tanabe and Minh 2010;
Ali-Musstjab-Akber-Shah Eqani et al. 2012; Bigus et al. 2014; Fang et al. 2015;
Brown and Takada 2017; Villa et al. 2017; Brajenovic et al. 2018; Carlsson et al.
2018). Furthermore, PCBs are currently considered as environmental proxies for the
development of monitoring and regulative strategies for new emerging contaminants
(CECs) on a regional and a global scale (Chatel et al. 2017; Villa et al. 2017;
Carlsson et al. 2018; Sargis and Simmons 2019).
The chirality of PCBs has been described earlier (Chaps. 2 and 3). After introducing reliable and robust enantioselective trace analytical methods for the unequivocal enantiomer-specific separation of the PCB atropisomers., the chiral profiles are
currently actively used for the source elucidation, weathering and biotransformation
patterns of PCB mixtures. By applying enantioselective analytical methods, information about temporal and spatial aspects with respect to the contamination profile
can be investigated as reported in various recent studies (Wong et al. 2001a, b, 2004;
Hoekstra et al. 2003; Dang et al. 2010; Ross et al. 2011; Megson et al. 2015; KaniaKorwel and Lehmler 2016; Ma et al. 2016). The main sources of PCB pollution are
listed in Table 9.4.
9.6 Plasticisers and Additives
Plasticisers and additives (UV stabilisers, flame retardants, etc.) are supporting
agents, which increase the plasticity, fluidity and stability of a polymeric material.
These compounds are used in plastics, clays and related products. Among various
Table 9.4 Point and diffusive sources for PCBs for environmental contamination
Point sources
Non-point sources (Diffusive)
Industrial production and discharge
Atmospheric and water-borne
contamination
Rural and urban sewage sludge and black water
Seepage from decommissioned
PCB-containing devices
Direct municipal and industrial wastewater
discharges
Historical contamination sites (naturalised
waste dumps, industrial areas)
Decommissioned electric/ electronic devices
(e-waste), garbage dumps, land fill wastes
Thermal processing
Paints and dyes
9.6 Plasticisers and Additives
261
authors used available data, that is, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diagnostic
ratios for source elucidation and characterisation purposes. According to the authors,
the major sources of pollution were sewage outfalls, landfills and bottom sediments
of the Gulf of Gdansk. The group of PCBs belongs today to the most investigated
environmental pollutants on the globe. A variety of studies are currently reported on
long-term temporal and spatial trends on both a global and a regional scale on a large
variety of environmental and human matrices (Tanabe and Minh 2010;
Ali-Musstjab-Akber-Shah Eqani et al. 2012; Bigus et al. 2014; Fang et al. 2015;
Brown and Takada 2017; Villa et al. 2017; Brajenovic et al. 2018; Carlsson et al.
2018). Furthermore, PCBs are currently considered as environmental proxies for the
development of monitoring and regulative strategies for new emerging contaminants
(CECs) on a regional and a global scale (Chatel et al. 2017; Villa et al. 2017;
Carlsson et al. 2018; Sargis and Simmons 2019).
The chirality of PCBs has been described earlier (Chaps. 2 and 3). After introducing reliable and robust enantioselective trace analytical methods for the unequivocal enantiomer-specific separation of the PCB atropisomers., the chiral profiles are
currently actively used for the source elucidation, weathering and biotransformation
patterns of PCB mixtures. By applying enantioselective analytical methods, information about temporal and spatial aspects with respect to the contamination profile
can be investigated as reported in various recent studies (Wong et al. 2001a, b, 2004;
Hoekstra et al. 2003; Dang et al. 2010; Ross et al. 2011; Megson et al. 2015; KaniaKorwel and Lehmler 2016; Ma et al. 2016). The main sources of PCB pollution are
listed in Table 9.4.
9.6 Plasticisers and Additives
Plasticisers and additives (UV stabilisers, flame retardants, etc.) are supporting
agents, which increase the plasticity, fluidity and stability of a polymeric material.
These compounds are used in plastics, clays and related products. Among various
Table 9.4 Point and diffusive sources for PCBs for environmental contamination
Point sources
Non-point sources (Diffusive)
Industrial production and discharge
Atmospheric and water-borne
contamination
Rural and urban sewage sludge and black water
Seepage from decommissioned
PCB-containing devices
Direct municipal and industrial wastewater
discharges
Historical contamination sites (naturalised
waste dumps, industrial areas)
Decommissioned electric/ electronic devices
(e-waste), garbage dumps, land fill wastes
Thermal processing
Paints and dyes
9.6 Plasticisers and Additives
261