| Atmospherically derived organic films on window surfaces were collected to improve our understanding of their physical and chemical characteristics. An urban-rural gradient in concentration was observed along an 80 km transect extending from downtown Toronto, with urban sites ∼10x to 100x greater than rural for PAH, n-alkanes and PCB. The gradient was greatest during winter, consistent with increased condensation to surfaces and aerosols. PBDE concentrations were 1.5–20x greater in interior than exterior films, consistent with greater PBDE sources indoors. Films collected from within 1 km of the World Trade Center, six weeks after September 11 th, were up to 10x greater than background New York City for PBDE, PCB and PCNs and were enriched in known combustion markers. Experimental log KFA values agreed with theoretical values for lower molecular PAH during the winter, but not for summer, possibly as a result of increased chemical degradation. |
