In 1999/2000 air and seawater samples have been collected simultaneously during two RV Polarstern cruises between Bremerhaven and Neumayer Station (Ekström Ice Shelf, 70°S/8.2°W) and between Bremerhaven and Ny-Alesund, Svalbard (79°N/12°E). The samples have been analyzed for selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including PCBs, HCB and HCHs using ion-trap mass spectrometry-gas chromatography.The main goal of the present study was to determine the state of equilibrium that has been reached by the HCHs within the last decade, after the ban of technical HCH in India. Earlier estimates around 1990 may have lost their currency due to the change of the global usage pattern. Secondly, we hoped to establish the time trend of the HCHs in the South Atlantic using archived samples and third, we wanted to compare the latitudinal profiles and time trend with model results.