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A method is presented for the simultaneous determination of polychlorobiphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bivalve samples. The method implies the fortification of the freeze-dried sample with isotopically labeled internal standards; followed by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 3% methanol, then a simple clean-up step on a silicagel packed Pasteur pipette and, finally, determination by gaschomatography-mass spectrometry. The method requires little time and labor compared to traditional methods, uses negligible amounts of solvents and produces little wastes. Sixty different PCB congeners and seven selected PAHs are analyzed. Six replicate analyses were performed on the SRM 2974 certified material and the results are discussed.

PCBs have gained worldwide reputation as hazardous environmental contaminants due to their physico-chemical and toxic properties, and as possible precursors of the much more toxic polychlor-inated dibenzofurans. This paper describes an accident where a PCB-based dielectric mixture was spilled on a long stretch of a State road in southern Italy, and the emergency period thereafter. The actions and policies taken to prevent harm to the population and define the extent of contamination for reclamation operations are also reported.