Abstract

Biphenyl polychlorinated (PCBs) belongs to a class of products persistent, bio accumulative and toxic synthetic organic chemicals. They are highly lipophilic pollutants and can accumulate in the food chain and adipose tissue. Although the use and production of PCBs have been severely banned in many countries, the legislation allows for the operation of equipment already installed, until it is fully replaced or replaced with a PCB-free product. The present study has the objective of verifying the presence of PCBs in the Bengalas River, in the Municipality of Nova Friburgo. Three collection points were analyzed monthly in the river from its source. The samples were collected monthly and lyophilized for a period of seven months. Subsequently, they were subjected to solid phase extraction (silica) with dichloromethane:hexane (1: 1: v/v) solvent. The samples were evaporated in a nitrogen atmosphere and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), using tetrachloromethoxyylene as an internal standard. The analyses showed the presence of different types of PCBs and this result implies important deleterious effects on aquatic life as well as on those that use the waters of the river.