Background Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are exceptionally stable substances that have been widely used in numerous products. Although such stability is highly valuable from an industrial point of view, it poses a big environmental problem. For this reason, the Commission has issued a specific “Communication on a Community Strategy for Dioxins, Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls” COM(2001)593 which draws attention to the dangers related to PCBs. Moreover, the European Commission considers that there are numerous gaps within the actual legislation which regulates these substances and therefore it is urgent to adopt additional measures to protect human health and the environment. Objectives The aim of the project was to stop PCB diffusion through the food chain (the main source of human contamination) by treating in situ polluted soils. Decontaminating the superficial layer of the soil prevents PCBs getting into food products. Such a treatment is based on biological processes that will create optimal conditions for PCB degradation. With high environmental compatibility and economical sustainability, these processes could be later applied on a larger scale. The overall aim of the project was to develop a bioremediation system (FREEPCB) that can be integrated into the normal agricultural practices of a farm. The system would be easily adaptable to a large choice of plant cultures through the simple modification of agricultural practices. The project foresaw several intermediate tasks and related objectives: • The analytical characterisation of a contaminated agricultural area of 25 ha, already available for the project applications, in order to determine the overall amount and distinct features of contamination by PCBs. • The sampling of contaminated soil and its laboratory analysis in order to get useful data for later field applications. A system of microcosms (pilot plan) will be prepared to determine the biological features of the contaminated matrix and to test in vitro several variables to optimise the degradation of the contaminant. • The achievement of experimental plots, on a surface of about 200 m2, located within the contaminated area, to test the results obtained in vitro and to plan the successive steps. • A large scale application on a 25 ha agricultural area. • The constant monitoring of key technical phases, to optimize the passage between the different steps and therefore the whole project outcomes. Such monitoring will include chemical-physical, microbiological, eco-toxicological analyses and agronomical analyses, related to the mycorrhizal status of cultivated plants. • The dissemination of project aims and results via a dedicated website and other relevant actions (brochures, workshops, final conference, etc). Results Although more scientific-oriented than demonstration-driven, the project was based on a well-assembled partnership, and retained a satisfactory potential for the transferability of the tested bioremediation techniques for decontaminating PCBs residues with a cost effective solution based on the selection of a bundle of micro-organisms that operate in the plant rhizosphere. The bio-remediation of soil from PCBs results were encouraging. The project showed that it is possible for a bundle of micro-organisms and chemical substances to bio-degrade PCBs content in agricultural soil in association with plant roots, preventing such contaminants to enter the food chain. It also showed that the tested bio-remediation system could be integrated into the ordinary agricultural practices, enabling farming activity to be carried out without risk. While the technical problems to be solved were huge, the beneficiary achieved the removal of an average of 40% of the original PCBs concentration. The project carried out the majority of the foreseen activities though with an average three to five month delay that especially affected the dissemination actions. However, a 160-page volume was produced that included all the project's results. It was distributed at the project's final conference and made available on request. The beneficiary also participated in the "Scuolambiente" event held in May 2006 in Pavia, setting-up laboratories and workshops for students. Small sachets of seeds treated with the selected micro-organisms bundle were distributed at these events. The project website was launched at the end of February 2005 and subsequently updated and improved. Other relevant national authorities were validating the bio-remediation method tested by the project. The beneficiary was planning to implement the system in the contaminated area of Caffaro.