Prediction of the environmental fate of chemicals

An overview is presented of the possibilities of applying multimedia compartmental evaluative models, and in particular the fugacity approach, to predict the environmental distribution and fate of organic chemicals. The use of this predictive approach for the evaluation of exposure to pollutants in the aquatic system is described, with reference to different environments or discharge patterns (surface and groundwaters, point and diffuse sources of pollution). The value and limitations of this approach are noted and the need for more research to improve predictive capability and practical usefulness is indicated. Finally some practical applications of evaluative models in the proposal of quantitative indices for ecotoxicological evaluation of risk from chemicals are described.