Investigation of PCB levels in house dust

In this thesis study, it is aimed to determine the concentrations of PCB compounds in dust samples taken from 127 houses in Ankara province. During the second trimester of pregnancy, dust samples were collected from the homes of women who voluntarily participated in this experimental work. The dust samples were collected from the baby room of the house, the hall and electric vacuum cleaners once during the third trimester of pregnancy and twice when the babies were 0-2 years of age. The concentration of Σ PCB in the house ranged from 19,142 ng/g to 9598,38 ng/g, with an average Σ PCB concentration of 513,089 ng /g. In household dust; hexa-CB, tetra-CB, tri-CB compounds were found to be highly concentrated. As expected in this thesis study; the PCB compounds found in dust samples in houses and the PCB compounds found in building materials were match. When we compare the average total PCB concentrations in the dust samples collected from the baby room and household electric cleaners for the three periods; the average Σ PCB concentration in the baby room during the summer months and the dust samples taken from the household electric sweepers during the winter period were high. Dust samples taken from the baby room (n = 30) and electric vacuum cleaners (n = 16) for the summer and winter periods of the same houses were compared. The average Σ PCB concentrations in the dust samples collected during the summer period were higher. When we compared the cumulative (dust samples from electric sweepers, n=148) average Σ PCB concentration and the instantaneous (dust samples collected from baby's room, n=186) average Σ PCB concentrations, the instantaneous average Σ PCB concentration (9542 ng/g) was higher than the cumulative average Σ PCB concentration (5353.07 ng/g). In statistical study with ANAVO test; the house floor, the type of heating in the house, the state of the window during sampling, the recent work of wood / gluing / clay / model work done at home, the use of deodorant spray, whether or not repairs have been done in the last year, whether new items have been taken home, and the type of baby cradle relations with PCB concentrations was found.