Gevao, BondiMartinez-Guijarro, KarellKurt-Karakus, Perihan BinnurSukhn, CarolWeber, RolandKrishnan, DivyaOrif, Mohamed I.2026-02-122026-02-1220221309-1042https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2022.101613https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/6746Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) were monitored at 12 sites across four countries (Kuwait, Turkey, Lebanon and, Oman) using validated passive air samplers between January 2018 and December 2018 in an attempt to set up a monitoring network for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Middle East. The highest concentrations of sigma PCDD/F were detected in Oman reflecting the proximity of the site to a steel melting company at Al-Rassil Industrial area (557 fg I-TEQ m-3) and a hospital waste incinerator at Al-Multaga (489 fg I-TEQ m-3). Elevated levels were also measured at all monitoring sites across Kuwait with average concentrations ranging from-150 fg I-TEQ m- 3 at the Shuwaikh site to-250 fg I-TEQ m- 3 at the Salmiya and Abdali sites. Levels of sigma PCDD/F at all other stations in the region were generally lower than 35 fg I-TEQ m- 3. The levels of 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF were frequently a factor of two higher compared to 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF suggesting that an additional source exists which involves the use of elemental chlorine. This study has provided the first reliable measurements of the atmospheric concentrations of PCDD/F in the Middle East providing a baseline for assessing time trends in PCDD/F in the air, one of the core matrices for the effectiveness evaluation under the Stockholm Convention on POPs.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessPolychlorinateddibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)Passive samplingKuwaitTurkeyLebanonOmanSaudi ArabiaArticle10.1016/j.apr.2022.1016131312WOS:0009034698000022-s2.0-85143849157Q2Q1