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Table 1 Estimated release fractions in the various uses and life cycle stages, based on published and unpublished reports

From: Expected Risk as basis for assessment of safe use of chemicals

Activity category

Release (%)

To air (%)

To water (%)

To soil (%)

Stage I

Use1: MANUFACTURING

0.4

0.2

95

5

Stage I

Use2: DISTRIBUTION & FORMULATION

0.5

60

39

1

Stage I

Use3: INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING

0.5

59

35

6

Stage II

Use4: USE in AGRICULTURE

100

15

1

84

Stage II

Use5: USE in MEDICINE

12

0.0

100

0

Stage II

Use6: WIDE-DISPERSIVE USE in 'down-the-drain

100

0.0

100

0

Stage II

Use7: Other WIDE-DISPERSIVE USES

100

73

11

16

Stage II

Use8: WIDE-DISPERSIVE 'low-release' USES

5

73

11

16

Stage II

Use9: USE as FUEL

0.04

96

4

0

Stage II

Use10: Other stage-II USES

0.5

26

22

9

Stage III

Use11: TREATMENT, RECYCLING

5

33

33

33

Stage III

Use12: SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

10

0.0

0.0

100

Use-weighted averages, based on selected SpERCs

25

63

31

6

  1. SpERC Specific Environmental Release Category; from Van de Meent et al. [11]