Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Threat by chemical substances:
Legislation, production, use and waste
K. Gruiz
Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science,
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
ABSTRACT
One of the main environmental threats is attributed to chemical substances, being
the focus of this topic. In this chapter we will review the problems, the management
and the associated legislation of chemical substances. Among the most dangerous
chemical substances used and emitted in large quantities and with considerable adverse
effects, we will discuss in detail some selected groups such as carcinogens, reprotoxic
substances and endocrine disruptors.
1 INTRODUCTION
Chemical substances endanger both the ecosystem and humans. An increasing num-
ber of adverse effects have been recognized and identified, including long-term effects
and complex relationships among chemicals and living organisms and their commu-
nities. Most of the ecosystem degradation and many of human health problems are
caused by hazardous chemical elements and molecules referred to as “chemical sub-
stances'' or just “chemicals.'' Energy comes from materials, and materials consist of
chemicals. Living organisms also consist of chemicals and their genetic, biochemical or
behavioral activities are accompanied with and regulated by chemicals. In this topic,
we use the term “chemical substances'' not just for man-made products but also for
natural, biogenic and xenobiotic chemical substances. We do so because the anthro-
pogenic or natural origin of chemicals—except persistent xenobiotics—can hardly be
distinguished in the dynamic system of the environment due to the cycling of ele-
ments and molecules between living and nonliving environments, physical phases and
environmental compartments.
Both anthropogenic emissions of chemical substances and changes in the natural
concentration of chemical substances in the environment are “contaminations'' from
the environment's point of view. They cause adverse effects in habitat quality and
deterioration in the activities of living organisms, leading in the worst case to their
death. These effects may occur in a local or regional environment, may cause local or
regional unbalance and corrupt the global element budget.
Almost every industrial, agricultural or service providing activity is accompanied
by material fluxes and the use of chemical substances. The use of chemical substances
involves emissions at a certain rate, even if the best available technology is applied.
 
 
 
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