Regardless of the ban on the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) decade ago, significant measures of PCBs are still
transmitted from essential sources in cities and are all inclusive ecological contaminants around the world. In
this study, the concentrations of PCBs in soil, the air-soil exchange of PCBs, and the soil-air partitioning coef-
ficient (KSA) of PCBs were investigated in four noteworthy urban areas in Nepal. Overall, the concentrations of
∑30PCBs ranged from 10 to 59.4 ng/g dry weight; dw (mean 12.2 ng/g ± 11.2 ng/g dw). The hexa-CBs
(22–31%) was most dominant among several PCB-homologues, followed by tetra-CBs (20–29%), hepta-CBs
(12–21%), penta-CBs (15–17%) and tri-CBs (9–19%). The sources of elevated level of PCBs discharge in Nepalese
soil was identified as emission from transformer oil, lubricants, breaker oil, cutting oil and paints, and cable
insulation. Slightly strong correlation of PCBs with TOC than BC demonstrated that amorphous organic matter
(AOM) assumes a more critical part in holding of PCBs than BC in Nepalese soil. The fugacity fraction (ff) results
indicated the soil being the source of PCB in air through volatilization and net transport from soil to air. The soilair
partitioning coefficient study suggests the absorption by soil organic matter control soil-air partitioning of
PCBs. Slightly weak but positive correlation of measured Log KSA with Log KOA (R2 = 0.483) and Log KBC-A (R2
= 0.438) suggests that both Log KOA and Log KBC-A can predict soil-air partitioning to lesser extent for PCBs.