Health risk assessment of biodegradable volatile organic chemicals: a case study of PCE, TCE, DCE and VC
A long-term health risk assessment based on a multi-media, multi-pathway approach for biodegradable volatile organic compounds is presented in this paper. In particular, health risk assessment of perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1-, cis-1,2-, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene (DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) in Los Angeles county is considered. The chemicals PCE, TCE, DCE and VC are commonly used and have been known to undergo anaerobic and/or aerobic transformation in the sub-surface environment. Vinyl chloride has been identified as a carcinogenic agent and PCE, TCE, and DCE have been identified as possible carcinogenic agents. In order to simulate the fate of these chemicals in the environment, subsequent human exposure through various pathways, and finally public health risk, multi-component, multi-media transport and multi-pathway exposure models are employed. The health risk assessments are estimated using various dose-response models with and without biodegradation effects.
volatile organic compounds; California, Los Angeles; Risk Abstracts; Health & Safety Science Abstracts; Pollution Abstracts; risk assessment; biodegradation; carcinogenesis; public health; R2 23060:Medical and environmental health; H SM3.8.2:CHEMICALS (CORROSION); P 6000:TOXICOLOGY AND HEALTH