Composition, Distribution, and Characterization of Organochlorine Pesticides in Sandstorm Depositions in Beijing, China

Sandstorms which distribute a great number of particles are a special atmospheric occurrence and are uncommon in northern China. This study was conducted to determine, for the first time, the concentration of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sandstorm depositions. Samples were collected from urban areas of Beijing and a total of eight OCPs were measured. All samples contained OCP residues. The total hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) concentration ranged from 20.6 to 59.8ng g^?1 and the total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) concentration ranged from 12.0 to 14.3ng g^?1. Furthermore, increasing HCH contamination was observed from the northwest to the southeast and a uniform distribution of DDT contamination was discovered in Beijing. Analysis of the sources of contamination showed that HCHs in the sandstorm depositions were derived from a relatively old source of lindane, and DDTs mainly originated from an old source of dicofol in Beijing. The preliminary pollution assessment of the samples indicated that HCH levels might be categorized as low pollution and DDT levels might be categorized as no pollution. The present study suggests that sandstorm depositions may not produce the special risk of adverse health effect from OCPs for the residents of Beijing, China.