Temporal and spatial variations in atmospheric unintentional PCB emissions in Chinese mainland from 1960 to 2019

Abstract. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are nowadays mainly unintentionally produced, since their use and manufacture has been banned. PCBs, especially those dioxin-like compounds, have proven harmful to ecosystems human health. Detailed information about the spatiotemporally distribution of produced PCBs (UP-PCBs) is crucial for understanding environmental fate associated health risks. However, research estimating UP-PCBs emission in China limited. In this study, a source-specific year-varying factor (EF) dataset was used compile provincial emissions 12 congeners 66 sources Chinese mainland from 1960 2019. addition that, 2019 were allocated into 0.1∘×0.1∘ grids. The results indicated that historical national represented an increasing trend until around 1995 then showed overall decreasing Cement production largest source mainland. Geographically, East North contributed across High densities occurred densely populated well-developed regions such as Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration Pearl Delta. Furthermore, highly positive correlations with population GDP identified.