Localized Enrichment of PCB Levels in Street Dust Due to Redistribution by Wind

As part of a project to identify PCB sources in combined sewer overflows discharging to the Buffalo River, NY, nine street and two unpaved aggregate parking lot dust and dirt samples were collected and analyzed for selected PCB congeners and total PCBs. Without exception, the dust and dirt samples had greater concentrations associated with the higher-chlorinated homologue groups. PCB-congeners 153, 138, 101, 118, and 180 contributed >50% of the total PCBs mass in each sample, suggesting contamination with Aroclors 1254 and 1260. Total PCB concentrations for the dust and dirt samples ranged between 90 and 1700 ng g^-1. Samples with the highest concentrations were located across the street and downwind from an industrial lot that had been remediated for PCB contamination in 1988. The industrial lot had been contaminated with Aroclors 1254 and 1260, indicating that contaminated soil had been locally redistributed through natural and vehicle-generated wind. Calculations based on the particle size of the street dust confirm the possibility of wind-induced redistribution. Street and aggregate lot dust and dirt potentially contribute to Buffalo River PCBs loadings through combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff. Best management practices such as more frequent street sweeping may be useful in reducing these loadings.