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2801197 
Technical Report 
Sampling And Analysis Of Selected Toxic Substances. Task 1A Hexachlorobenzene 
Li, RT; Spigarelli, JL; Going, JE 
1976 
NIOSH/00135421 
U 
68-01-2646 
253-794 
Environmental concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (118741) (HCB) were investigated at several industrial sites throughout the United States. Air, water, soil, and sediment samples were collected at nine industrial facilities involved in the production of perchloroethylene (127184) (PCE), trichloroethylene (79016) (TCE), carbon-tetrachloride (56235) (CCl4), chlorine (7782505), triazine (101053) herbicides, and pentachloronitrobenzene (82688). HCB concentrations generally were greatest in and around factories that produced PCE, TCE, and CCl4 and were lowest for factories that produced chlorine and triazine herbicides. Methods of waste disposal at PCE and TCE factories had a significant effect on HCB concentration. On site land fills and open pit storage were associated with the highest HCB concentrations, and the loading and transfer areas of facilities using off site disposal also had high HCB values. The highest HCB concentration found in air on factory property was 24 micrograms per cubic meter, and the highest concentration found in air outside factory property was 0.36 micrograms per cubic meter. The authors conclude that, of the industries surveyed, PCE and TCE production represent the most significant source of HCB. Waste disposal methods significantly affect HCB contamination of the environment. HCB in particulate form can be attributed to contaminated soil or blowing waste solids.