ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 describes the factors that can result in the emergence of a contaminant. It describes the potential for exposure in terms of the chemicals in commerce; the potential for their release, considering their manufacture, storage, and use; and monitoring programs. The analysis reflects data from the Toxic Release Inventory, and Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Chapter 3 examines the evolving knowledge of hazards presented by environmental contaminants, reflecting scientific findings and the relationship to regulatory programs such as the European Union regulation Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, and the United States Toxic Substances Control Act as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. It discusses specific classes of compounds, i.e., persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds; and persistent, mobile and toxic compounds (PMT) or persistent, mobile organic compounds (PMOC). Chapter 3 also describes the role of public outrage and its spread by social media. Examples include: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, PFOS, PFOA), 1,4-dioxane, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), perchlorate, chemicals of emerging Arctic concern and Arctic pollution more generally, Dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) degradates, Dacthal, tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP), daminozide or Alar, ethylene oxide, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloromethylmethane or DDT, and microbeads.
