A study on Target Chemical Substances for Environmental Contamination Management in Disasters and Accidents

Abstract

Domestic and overseas efforts on response to accidents and disasters with release of chemical substances were investigated, mainly from the viewpoint of exposure level. To prioritize chemical substances that should be managed in emergency in Japan, acute exposure levels used in Europe and the United States were combined with available information on the amount of chemical substances in Japan. Regarding the amount information, two groups of substances, industrial use substances (substances related to the Chemical Substitution Law and PRTR law) and pesticides, were targeted. Priority substance list was prepared by linking with the toxic judgment value. In preparing the lists, some substances were excluded by individual judgment due to existence of existing management system, concern of risk to the public, etc. Therefore, some substances which is not focused under the existing environmental regulations were listed as high priority substances.