Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides with emphasis on their presence in the needles of coniferous trees

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are stable lipophilic compounds which persist in soil, water, sediments or biota for a very long time. As they can be transported by air over long distances, they were found in environmental samples in locations where they were not used. This environmental ubiquity and toxic effects, puts PCB and OCPs in the focus of scientific investigation. This review summarises physical and chemical properties of OCPs and PCBs, their use and distribution in the biosphere, and their effects on human health. Vegetation, particularly coniferous trees, are often used in biomonitoring of these compounds. Because of the widespread distribution of the pine trees, pollution monitoring is possible on local, regional and global scale, and this article compares monitoring results from Croatia and other countries. Despite the ban or restricted use of PCBs and OCPs, they are still present in the environment. Their levels in pine needles are relatively low (ng/g dry weight), except when there is a recent input of these pollutants occurs which increases their levels. This review suggests that pine needles are suitable for PCB and OCP monitoring and briefly describes analytical procedures involved, pointing out some methodological problems encountered in the process.