• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1090-1098
• /
• 2005

Benzoyl peroxide is very toxic to aquatic organisms but environmental concentration or exposure effects were not studied. Distribution of the chemical among multimedia environment was estimated using EQC(Equilibrium Criterion) model based on the physical-chemical properties to evaluate the risk of benzoyl peroxide in environment. Level I describes a situation that 100,000 kg of benzoyl peroxide is emitted into the environment which is equilibrium and steady-state without degradation and advection condition. Level II describes a situation that a constant rate of 1,000kg/h of benzoyl peroxide is continuously discharged into the environment which is equilibrium and steady-state with degradation and advection condition. Level III describes a situation that 1,000 kg/h of benzoyl peroxide is continuously introduced in each air, water, soil, and sediment compartment which are non-equilibrium and steady-state with degradation, advection, and inter-media transfer condition. In Level I and II calculations the chemical was distributed to soil(68.3%) and water(28.7%). In Level III calculation it was primarily distributed to soil(99.9%) and overall residence time was estimated to be 3.4 years. Benzoyl peroxide can be persistent in environment.