Background concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) in office buildings in Boston, Massachusetts

Two office buildings were tested to determine the background surface and air concentrations of PCDFs and PCDDs. Surface samples showed higher concentrations of PCDDs than PCDFs, increase of PCDD concentration with degree of chlorination, similar concentrations of PCDFs irrespective of degree of chlorination, and significant correlations between concentrations of PCBs, and PCDFs and PCDDs. Air samples generally contained non-detectable concentrations of PCDFs and lower chlorinated PCDDs; and a predominance of higher chlorinated PCDDs. These data define a concentration baseline for PCDFs and PCDDs in these buildings, but may be indicative of the concentrations present in other office buildings.