A model illustrating the environmental fate, exposure and human uptake of persistent organic chemicals
1989; Elsevier BV; Volume: 47; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0304-3800(89)90111-7
ISSN1872-7026
AutoresSally Paterson, Donald Mackay,
Tópico(s)Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
ResumoA multimedia partitioning model, implemented on a microcomputer, describes sequentially the environmntal distribution of, animal and human exposure to, and bioconcentration potential of, relatively persistent organic chemicals in southern Ontario. The model depicts the complete pathways of a chemical after release, including distribution in various environmental media of air, water, sediment, soil and food, the chemical availability to herbivores and humans with consequent estimation of exposure, and its bioconcentration potential in human adipose tissue. The calculated exposures can be compared to those which are judged to have toxic or other effects, and a corresponding safety factor can be estimated. The concepts of estimating critical or multiple exposure routes and the effect of regulating environmental emissions are illustrated. In order to treat this complex issue, the model contains a number of simplifying assumptions (which are discussed); thus it gives no better than order-of-magnitude accuracy. Its principal benefit is its quantification and illustration of the entire process of environmental partitioning, exposure and uptake, and comparison with toxicological and other criteria.
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