Title : PCDDs and PCDFs in air at McMurdo Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : September 1, 1993 File : opp94003 Following is the abstract of a report prepared for the National Science Foundation. For a copy of the full report, contact the author. RESULTS OF MONITORING FOR PCDDs AND PCDFs IN AMBIENT AIR AT MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA [30 pages] by Robert M. Lugar EG&G Idaho, Inc. Environmental Technology Unit Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415-1406 September 1993 Interagency Agreement No. DPP-9102787 with U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Field Office Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 Project Officer Dr. Jane Dionne Environmental Officer Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation Washington, D.C. 20550 ABSTRACT This report presents the results of ambient air monitoring for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) performed during the 1992-1993 austral summer in the vicinity of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Fifteen air samples were collected from four different locations for determination of the presence and concentration of PCDD/PCDF compounds. General Metal Works Inc. PS-1 air samplers equipped with polyurethane foan (PUF) with a sample flow rate of approximately 0.27 cubic meter per minute were used to collect air samples. Sampling site selection, sampling procedures, and quality assurance procedures used were consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance for local ambient air quality networks. PCDD/PCDF compounds were not detected at the predominantly upwind location and at a more remote site on Black Island. Trace levels of only a few PCDD/PCDF congeners were detected sporadically at a location approximately 500 meters downwind of the station. The most frequent, most varied, and highest level of PCDDs/PCDFs were measured at a "downtown" location, where concentrations of total PCDDs ranged from 0.27 to 1.80 picograms per cubic meter and total PCDFs from less than 0.1 to 2.77 picograms per cubic meter. Results from the remote Black Island site indicate that the background antarctic air is still "free" of PCDD/PCDF compounds (not detectable at current method detection limits). The initial baseline effort demonstrated that site selection and sampling equipment performance were satisfactory, provided useful data for assessing the impact of McMurdo operations on the local ambient air quality, and provided baseline data for assessing the Antarctica continental air quality.