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A direct immersion solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (SPME-GC-ECD) method was optimized and validated for the quantitative determination of 18 organochlorine pesticides in ground water. Ionic strength, stirring speed, adsorption and desorption time and pH were some of the parameters investigated in order to select the optimum conditions for SPME with a 50/30 DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber coating. The SPME-GC/ECD method showed good linear response below 10 ng L(-1) with R(2) values in the range of 0.9950-0.9997. The repeatability of the measurements were lower than 10%. Values of relative recoveries located within the acceptable range (80-120%). Limits of quantification (LOQ) from 4.5x10(-3) to 1.5 ng L(-1) were obtained. On average 8 organochlorines were found per sample, even so all the 18 organochlorines were quantified among them. Substances such as endrin ketone, gamma-BHC and beta-BHC were the pesticides determined in larger concentration (0.06-305 ng L(-1)), while methoxychlor and aldrin in smaller amounts (0.151-1.55 ng L(-1)). Measured levels of organochlorine pesticides were above the limits established by Brazilian regulations.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in smoke samples from wood carbonization during charcoal production, in both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous phases. Samples were acquired using a medium-volume air sampler at 1.5 m distance from the furnace. Particle-bound PAH were collected on Fluoropore polytetrafluoroethylene filters and gas-phase PAH were collected into sorbent tubes with XAD-2 resin. PAH were extracted with dichloromethane-methanol and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed total emission from the furnace of 26 microg/m3 for the 16 PAH and 2.8 microg/m3 for the 10 genotoxic PAH (from fluoranthene to benzo[g,h,i]perylene). High emission of 16 PAH in the first 8 h of wood carbonization was detected (64 microg/m3; 56% of the total emission). Associated with PM, 11% of the total emission of 16 PAH (in both phases) and 60% of 10 genotoxic PAH were found. Relative ratios (for example, [Phe]/[Phe]+[Ant]) for the PAH of the same molecular weight were obtained and compared with the published data. The concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaP(eq)) were estimated using the list of toxic equivalent factors suggested by . The values of 0.30 and 0.06 mg/m3 were obtained for the total concentrations of BaP(eq) in PM and gaseous phase, respectively.