PERSISTENT ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN THE URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AREA OF PLOIESTI CITY

The paper presents an original research regarding the incidence of polychlorinated biphenyls compounds (PCBs) and organochlorine insecticides (HCH and DDT) on the urban area of Ploiesti. Due to the high level of toxicity, international legislation provides the list of PCBs compounds to be monitored: PCB28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180. Sample collection was made in 27 points located in ornamental garden, parks, and street intersections. The chemical analyses were conducted in the Laboratory of National Research and Development Institute for Soil Science, AgroChemistry and Environment of Bucharest, according to an own analytical method adapted after EPA. There were determined physical properties and chemical concentrations for humus, organic carbon, mobile phosphorus and potassium, total nitrogen, as well as the PCBs, DDT and �. -, �� - and �� - HCH. According to the Romanian standards, the concentrations of PCBs overcome the normal values in all sampling points and intervention threshold in seven locations. This could have a high impact on people health - especially children and old people - and some intervention measures need to be taken.