| Summary: | Samples of polyethylene pellets were collected at 30 beaches from 17 countries and analyzed for organochlorine
compounds. PCB concentrations in the pellets were highest on US coasts, followed by western
Europe and Japan, and were lower in tropical Asia, southern Africa and Australia. This spatial pattern
reflected regional differences in the usage of PCBs and was positively correlated with data from Mussel
Watch, another monitoring approach. DDTs showed high concentrations on the US west coast and in
Vietnam. In Vietnam, DDT was predominant over its metabolites (DDE and DDD), suggesting the principal
source may be current usage of the pesticide for malaria control. High concentrations of pesticide HCHs
were detected in the pellets from southern Africa, suggesting current usage of the pesticides in southern
Africa. This study demonstrates the utility and feasibility of the International Pellet Watch approach to
monitor POPs at a global scale.
|
|---|