All over the world, there is growing public awareness and concern over the potentially toxic effects of persistent organic pollutants on human health and the environment. In particular, people living near waste incinerators need to be reassured about their health risks, (short- and long-term exposure to incineration emissions), the safety of such combustion facilities, and compliance with regulations – not only under normal conditions, but also in other than normal operating conditions (OTNOC), such as shut-downs, start-ups, and failures.
Pine trees are able to survive long periods of stressful drought conditions due to the special morphology of pine needle The epicuticular wax layer helps to prevent water loss of the plant system, as well prevention of the risks of pathogen and insects attacks. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are thought to sorb to the cuticular waxes, therefore, plant leaves/ pined needles can be used as a natural sampler for POPs in the environment.