Organic pollutants (compounds)

Question 1

BTEX

Answer 1

monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

• Volatile

Benzene: A simple, toxic chemical often found in industrial emissions.

Toluene: Used in paints and paint thinners.

Ethylbenzene: Found in some solvents and is used to make styrene.

Xylene: Used in paints, varnishes, and as a solvent in various industries.

Question 2

Answer 2

BTEX

Question 3

PAH

Answer 3

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

K-value: High
Lipophilic & likes to bind to carbon

Bioaccumulative: No

Presistency: Moderate to high
Depend on their size and environmental conditions.

K-value and persistency increase with #rings

Structure: multiple benzene rings fused together

Formed when coal, oil, gas, wood, or tobacco are burned inefficiently (at lower temperatures or with insufficient oxygen; incomplete combustion)

Question 4

Answer 4

PAH

Question 5

PCB

Answer 5

Polychlorinated biphenyls

K-value: High
Lipophilic & likes to bind to carbon

Bioaccumulative: Yes
Build up in animal and human fat

Presistency: High
Break down very slowly in the environment (Cl must be redused before broken down)

• man-made
• 1–10 chlorine atoms attached to biphenyl (two connected benzene rings).

Question 6

Dioxin

Answer 6

K-value: High
Lipophilic & likes to bind to carbon

Bioaccumulative: Yes
Build up in animal and human fat

Presistency: High
Break down very slowly in the environment (Cl must be redused before broken down)

Extremely toxic even at low levels

Linked to:
Cancer (fit into DNA)
Hormone disruption
Reproductive and developmental problems
Immune system damage

Question 7

Answer 7

Dioxin