Hexachlorobenzene fate-modelling for risk assessment

Abstract

Exposure assessments are needed for managing risks posed by releases of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the environment. This paper shows how mathematical models are used to trace the movement of HCB and of materials which may carry it through the environment. These models can be used to assess the benefits of controls on the source of the releases in terms of reduced human exposures. Examples are given for spills on soil, atmospheric transport of combustion products, aqueous fate of material in soil and overall environmental partitioning. These examples are designed both to demonstrate available methods and to give insights into probable pathways.