• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2002

Concentrations of $\alpha$- and ${\gamma}$-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were measured in ambient air samples at a two week intervals between July 1999 and February 2000 at Ansung, Kyonggi province. Their concentration levels averaged at 78 ($\alpha$-HCH) and 18 pg/m$^3$(${\gamma}$-HCH). Although the use of HCHs was ceased in South Korea since 1979, their residues are still present in air even after nearly 20 years. Given the composition of the two main HCH pesticide formulation (technical HCH antral lindane), the $\alpha$/${\gamma}$-HCH ratio in air is a useful indicator on the regional scale. The moderately low $\alpha$/${\gamma}$-HCH ration in this study indicates previous usage of both technical HCH and lindane. The relationship of temperature with gas-phase partial pressures was also examined using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. Slopes generated by linear regression analysis between partial pressure (In P) and 1/T were considerably steep thor HCHs. It is thus suggested that their concentrations are controlled by re-volatilization processes from surfaces in the local surroundings of the sampling site.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1343-1354
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• 2010

The purpose of the study was to analyze the persistence of HCH in atmosphere, soil, sediment and water of the western and southern regions of Korea. The samples from the western region were collected from Anmyeon Island, and the samples from the southern region were collected from Kimhae and Busan. The concentration of HCH isomers in atmosphere showed the pattern of $\alpha$-HCH>$\gamma$-HCH>$\beta$-HCH. The regions with high HCH concentration in the atmosphere are the regions that have been highly exposed to HCH used in the past, and the areas that have been influenced by the long range transport. The HCH that persists in the soil, water and sediment evaporates into the atmosphere, showing the characteristics of Air-Surface exchange. When the regional concentration distributions are compared, the concentration of HCH was higher in the atmosphere of a plain and the cities near the plain, than the urban areas. In this study, the ratio of $\alpha/\beta$-HCH was used as an indicator for estimating the source of Technical HCH and Lindane. According to the result, the contribution of Lindane was high in Kimhae plain and Kimhae urban areas. However, in Busan, the contribution of Technical HCH was higher than Lindane. In case of Anmyeon Island, the western region of Korea had high contribution from Tehcnical HCH. In soil and sediment, $\beta$-HCH was dominant. In water, $\gamma$-HCH was dominant among other isomers. Such results are due to $\gamma$-HCH inLindane. Furthermore, the source of $\gamma$-HCH in urban areas is assumed to be the use of medicine, medical supplies and other living supplies. Based on the results of this study, the management of HCH, a newly list up emerging POPs, should be strengthened by further research on sources, fate, persistency, accumulation and exposures and etc. to the risk assessments.