Persistent bioaccumulative toxins

Washington State Department of Ecology - Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins. Online. Available HTTP (accessed 9 April 2003). 

Persistent bioaccumulative toxins pose both immediate and long-term threats to humans. The developing organ systems of fetuses and young children make them more vulnerable to the impacts of PBTs than adults.5 In addition, indigenous populations and others who rely on locally caught fish and wildlife for food may be more exposed to certain PBTs than the general population.6... 

Products of degradation may produce persistent bioaccumulative toxins. 

This material is not biodegradable, but low log Kow value indicates that it will not bioaccumulate. Degradation byproducts may produce persistent bioaccumulative toxins. 

Classified as a persistent, bioaccumulative toxin and is inherently toxic to aquatic organisms. 

This material is expected to be readily biodegradable and partition to sediment and wastewater solids if released to the environment, but is not expected to be harmful to aquatic organisms. Log Kow value of 8.8 indicates a high potential to bioaccumulate. It is also listed as a persistant bioaccumulative toxin in Europe. 

Biologically active, nondegradable substances ° Persistent bioaccumulative toxins... 

Washington State. 2006. Chapter 173-333 WAC- Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins, January 13,2006 (http //www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/wac173333.pdf). 

Similar considerations are relevant for other airborne, persistent, bioaccumulating pollutants, primarily polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Naturally occurring toxins - mycotoxins... 

However, in this case, people realized that the persistent bioaccumulation of toxins also seriously affected human health. At this point, a new law was required and Kashinho was finally established. Since then, mainly the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare have developed the law. 

Substitution, rather than risk management is therefore essential. Chemicals identified as of very high concern, e.g. carcinogens, reproductive toxins, those that persist and bioaccumulate in the environment and affect the hormone system, should be targeted for substitution based on their intrinsic hazards. 

All persistent organic pollutants share at least three qualities (i) They are chemically stable such that they don t decompose in the environment—that is, they can "persist for many years. (2) They are nonpolar toxins that tend to bioaccumulate within fatty tissues, especially in organisms higher in the food chain, like us humans. (3) They are semivolatile, which enables them to evaporate into the atmosphere and be carried long distances by the wind so that they are found globally. 

This chemical is not considered to be a persistent toxin and has a low potential to bioaccumulate. It is, however, considered to be inherently toxic to aquatic organisms. 

Compounds classified as mutagens, carcinogens, or reproductive toxins of high concern must gain special authorization from The Commission before commercial use. This authorization is also required for compounds shown to be especially persistent in the environment, bioaccumulative, or toxic (PBT compounds). Authorization is awarded if proper containment protocols are demonstrated that significantly lessen the risk associated with these compounds of concern or if external circumstances make replacement of the compound unfeasible. 

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