Investigation of PBDEs in Landfill Leachates from Across Canada

Abstract

Leachates from 27 landfills (e.g. planned disposal area) across southern Canada and 11 dump sites (e.g. unorganized disposal area) in the Canadian North were collected (2006) and analysed (2006-2008) for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). There was wide variability in the results, both in terms of the total PBDE concentrations and in the distribution of congeners. Northern sites tended to have lower concentrations than southern ones, but some northern levels were significant, despite the low population density and lack of industry in the north. The North could potentially act as a sink for PBDE contaminants because many organic compounds get deposited via air or water currents in the North even though they were not manufactured there.