Discrimination and thermal degradation of toxaphene compounds in capillary gas chromatography when using split/splitless and on-column injection

Technical toxaphene and a 22-component Reference Mixture were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography with split/splitless injection (SSL) and on-column injection (OC). In both techniques, electron-capture, negative ionization mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS) was used for detection of chlorobornanes, chlorocamphenes and related compounds. Significant discrimination of highly chlorinated congeners was observed as a result of incomplete transfer of these compounds from the vaporizer to the analytical column when using SSL. This resulted in a much lower response for nona- and decachloro congeners than when using OC. In addition, several toxaphene components, especially the chlorobornanes with gem dichloro substitution on the six-member carbon ring, undergo thermal degradation when using SSL. Some of these congeners are major components of technical toxaphene, but generally are not present, except at low concentrations, in environmental and biological samples. Therefore, technical toxaphene may be discriminated and/or degraded differently than toxaphene compounds in environmental samples when using SSL. This results in significant bias of the quantitative data when using the technical material as a reference. OC suffers much less from these deficiencies and, therefore, is a preferable technique for toxaphene analysis.     

The determination of toxaphene in environmental samples by negative ion electron capture high resolution mass spectrometry

A method is described for the analysis of toxaphene in environmental samples by high resolution gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry in selected ion electron capture negative ion mode. Toxaphene is detected by monitoring [M-Cl]- fragments ions of chlorobornanes (Cl6-Cl10) and chlorobornenes (Cl6-Cl7) using formal ion ratio criteria. The method shows high sensitivity and excellent specificity for the detection of chlorobornanes with negligible interference from of a wide range of common environmental organochlorines including chlordanes, PCBs and PCB-oxygen adducts. The analytical scheme is applicable to sediment and biological tissue samples and typically provide sample detection limits of less than 0.2 ng/g technical toxaphene for a 10 g sample.     

Investigations on the sorption of a toxaphene model congener, the B7-1450, on marine sediments

Sorption is a natural process that takes place in sediments or soils and changes the mobility and availability of hydrophobic organic compounds, such as toxaphene pesticide in the environment. The sorption of the 2-exo,3-endo,5-exo,8,9,10,10-heptachlorobornane (B7-1450), used as a model compound of the toxaphene heptachlorobornane congeners found in sediments, was investigated for the first time through a series of batch sorption experiments. The losses of B7-1450 due to adsorption onto glass walls and to evaporation occurring during analytical treatment steps were corrected. The study showed that these specific losses ranged from 2% to 3.5% for the glass walls adsorption and can be as high as 15% for the evaporation treatment. The sorption coefficients, K(d) and K(oc), of B7-1450 could be overestimated by >30%, particularly for low-concentration samples, if the losses were not corrected. Loss correction equations were established, validated and applied to determine sorption coefficients for the B7-1450 congener. The K(oc) values for B7-1450 determined over a gradient of concentrations ranged from 3.5x10(4) to 6.5x10(4)mlg(-1), revealing a strong affinity of B7-1450 for marine sediments.     

Levels of toxaphene congeners in fish from Danish waters

The levels of toxaphene congeners, in addition to PCB congeners and organochlorine pesticides, were determined in various fish samples from different Danish waters. While PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE show different levels depending on the fishing area, with highest levels in fish from the Western Baltic Sea, toxaphene was detected in all the samples investigated at a more constant level. The distribution of the three toxaphene congeners Parlar #26, #50 and #62 depends on the fishing area, with the Western Baltic Sea being different from the other waters by having almost equal levels of toxaphene congeners #26 and #50.     

Induction of rat hepatic microsomal enzymes by toxaphene pretreatment

Abstract

The effects of pretreatment of rats with toxaphene on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and several other parameters of the mixed function oxidase system were investigated. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm of toxaphene for 14 days. The body weight gain was unaltered as well as the food consumption in all the toxaphene fed groups. There was no change in the weights of brain, kidney, heart, and testes but the liver weight was significantly increased. The thymus weight in all the toxaphene fed groups was decreased. Hydroxylation of pentobarbital and aniline was significantly enhanced in rats exposed to toxaphene. Ethylmorphine‐N‐demethy‐lase activity in the toxaphene treated rats was also elevated. Enhanced hydroxylation of pentobarbital was also evident from the decreased sleeping time following pentobarbital administration. Exposure to toxaphene increased cytochrome P‐450, NADPH‐cytochrome c‐reductase and dehydrogenase in hepatic microsomal fractions. The binding of aniline and hexobarbital to microsomes was also enhanced, suggesting that the intermediate steps in the electron‐transfer system were increased. In conclusion, pretreatment of rats with toxaphene for fourteen days resulted in the induction of the hepatic mixed function oxidase system.     

The application of standard methods for the determination of toxaphene in environmental media

In the United States, it is necessary to analyze for toxaphene using approved, validated methods acceptable to the regulatory agencies. As a result of an interlaboratory study and technical exchanges among the US EPA Region IV (EPA), the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), and Hercules Incorporated, guidelines for the application of SW-846 Method 8080 were developed. Results of analyses for sludge, soil, and water samples agreed within a percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) range of 6.9-20%. Through continued technical interchanges, guidance for the application of SW-846 Method 8081 has been developed. The results of analyses of fourteen split samples of soil and sediment produced a percent relative standard deviation that ranged from 1.6% to 127%, with an average of 38%. When two unusually divergent results were removed from consideration, the average % RSD reduced to 26%. The results of analyses of split samples show agreement between the EPA laboratory and a Hercules contract laboratory. Therefore, the guidance has achieved its purpose of producing agreement among data from different laboratories so that data reviewers may have assurance that the analytical method has been applied correctly and consistently for the determination of toxaphene in environmental samples.     

Reproduction study of toxaphene in the rat

The purpose of the present study was to investigate in rats the reproductive effects of toxaphene, an insecticidal mixture which has been identified as a pollutant in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Groups of 30 female and 15 male weanling rats were given toxaphene in the diets at 0, 4.0, 20, 100 or 500 ppm in a 1 generation 2 litter reproduction study. Toxaphene treatment at the levels studied had no effects on the litter size, pup weight, fertility, or gestation and survival indices. Toxic effects in the parental rats included depressed weight gain, elevated serum cholesterol, and increased liver and kidney weight and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities. Most of these effects were associated only with 500 ppm toxaphene treatment. Treatment-related histological changes in the liver, thyroid and kidney of adult rats were observed at levels as low as 20 ppm. Based on the data presented, the no observable adverse effect dose of toxaphene was considered to be 4.0 ppm in the diet (0.29-0.38 mg/kg b.w./day depending on the amount of dietary intake).     

Total toxaphene and specific congeners in fish from the Yukon, Canada

Toxaphene is one of the major persistent organic pollutants with global environmental impacts. We have measured total toxaphene and specific congeners concentrations in 19 fish samples collected from the Yukon, Canada using gas chromatography coupled to ion trap MS/MS. The total toxaphene concentrations ranged from 42 to 242 ng/g (mean = 107+/-61 ng/g). The sum of the three specific congeners (Parlar 26, 50 and 62) was within 10-55 ng/g. The ratio of the sum of the three congeners to the total toxaphene varied between 8% and 25% in the fish samples but the ratio may be species specific. Our results suggest that consumption of these Yukon fish should have minimal risk of toxaphene exposure.     

Degradation of toxaphene in aged and freshly contaminated soil

Degradation of toxaphene in soil from both newly contaminated (from Sweden) and aged spills (from Nicaragua) were studied. The newly contaminated soil contained approximately 11 mg kg(-1) toxaphene while the aged Nicaraguan soil contained approximately 100 mg kg(-1). Degradation was studied in anaerobic bioreactors, some of which were supplied with lactic acid and others with Triton X-114. In this study we found that the lower isomers Parlar 11, 12 were degraded while the concentration of isomer Parlar 15 increased. This supported an earlier evaluation which indicated that less chlorinated isomers are formed from more heavily isomers. Lactic acid when added to the soil, interfere with the degradation of toxaphene. Lactic acid was added; several isomers appeared to degrade rather slowly in newly contaminated Swedish soil. The Swedish soil, without any external carbon source, showed the slowest degradation rate of all the compounds studied. When Triton X-114 at 0.4 mM was added, the degradation rate of the compounds increased. This study illustrates that biodegradation of toxaphene is a complex process and several parameters have to be taken into consideration. Degradation of persistent pollutants in the environment using biotechnology is dependent on bioavailability, carbon sources and formation of metabolites.     

Degradation of toxaphene in water during anaerobic and aerobic conditions

The degradation of technical toxaphene in water with two kinds of bioreactors operating in sequence was studied. One packed bed reactor was filled with Poraver (foam glass particles) running at anaerobic conditions and one suspended carrier biofilm reactor working aerobically. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride, sulphate, pH, dissolved oxygen, total toxaphene and specific toxaphene isomers were measured. After 6 weeks approx. 87% of the total toxaphene was degraded reaching 98% by week 39. The majority of the conversion took place in the anaerobic reactor. The concentrations of toxaphene isomers with more chlorine substituents decreased more rapidly than for isomers with less chlorine substituents.     

Adenosine triphosphatase activities in brain, kidney and liver of mice treated with toxaphene.

The sensitivity of Na+-K+ and Mg++ Adenosine Triphosphatases (ATPases) in mouse tissues to toxaphene, a highly chlorinated camphene, was determined both in vivo and in vitro. The brain and kidney Na+-K+ ATPase activities were significantly inhibited in vitro by toxaphene. Interestingly, the inhibition was not significantly increased with an increase in the concentration of toxaphene. The oligomycin-sensitive (mitochondrial Mg++ ATPase activities in mouse brain, kidney and liver fractions were significantly inhibited by toxaphene in a concentration-dependent fashion. The oligomycin-insensitive Mg++ ATPase in all tissues examined was also inhibited but less sensitive to toxaphene than mitochondrial Mg++ ATPase. In contrast to in vitro response, the brain ATPases were not altered in mice fed toxaphene by oral intubation for three days. The renal and hepatic ATPase activities were significantly decreased in toxaphene treated mice with the oligomycin-insensitive Mg++ ATPase activity being only slightly altered.     

Rapid anaerobic degradation of toxaphene in sewage sludge

We studied the degradation of technical toxaphene in anaerobic sewage sludge from a municipal waste water treatment plant. Chlorobornanes, chlorocamphenes and related compounds were rapidly degraded, with degradation rates in the order of decachloro>nonachloro>octochloro>heptachloro approximately = hexachloro compounds. The half-lives of individual congeners ranged from <1 day to several days. We also studied the degradation of technical toxaphene in previously sterilized sludge (control), and found it was slower than in the anaerobic sludge. The chlorobornanes that degraded most rapidly in the non-sterilized anaerobic sludge were those with gem chloro substitution on the 6-member carbon-ring, including the toxic congeners, Toxicant A and B. Non-gem chloro substituted congeners, like the biologically persistent P26 and P50, also degraded, but less rapidly. Toxaphene degradation in sewage sludge proceeded primarily via reductive dechlorination, leading to HxSed, HpSed, TC2 and other persistent metabolites. Enantioselective determinations indicated little, if any, enantioselectivity in the formation and/or degradation of these compounds. The isomer and enantiomer profiles of the hexa-, hepta-, and octachlorobornanes are similar to those observed in sediment from the Baltic Sea, suggesting that technical toxaphene is the source of these compounds and that its composition was changed via similar anaerobic degradation pathways.     

Airborne concentrations of toxaphene congeners at Point Petre (Ontario) using gas-chromatography-electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC-ECNIMS).

A reliable analytical method has been developed using GC-ECNIMS for the determination of individual toxaphene congeners in ambient air. To allow a reasonable comparison with previous data for toxaphene reported by Muir and co-workers using GC-ECD, this method has adopted their approach of focussing upon the identification and quantification of specific peaks or clusters ("T" species) typically observed in environmental samples, with the sum of these "T" species then being reported as "total toxaphene". Technical toxaphene has been used as the analytical standard, but independent response factors have been assigned to the target peaks and clusters. Because of the appreciable variability in ECNIMS response shown by individual toxaphene congeners, this is considered to be a reasonable and potentially more accurate procedure than the application of a "single response factor" used by many other workers. The methodology has been used for the determination of toxaphene in air samples collected over the annual cycle in 1992 and then from October 1995 to September 1997 at Point Petre, Ontario. Of the forty-four calibrated components, only 10 were detected in all of the air samples collected over the latter 2-year period. Airborne concentrations of toxaphene (defined as the sum of the calibrated components) range from 0.9 pg/m3 to 10.1 pg/m3. A clear seasonality has been observed, with a summer-to-winter concentration ratio of about 6.     

Congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from Germany by HRGC-NCI-MS using a carborane-siloxane copolymer phase (HT-8)

A method for the congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from a monitoring program from the northern part of Germany was carried out. The method was optimized in most steps of the procedure: injection temperature, HRGC with an HT-8 column, ion source temperature and the MS detection mode NCI/SIM measuring the isotope clusters of [M] , [M-Cl]-, [M-HCl]- and [M-2Cl]-. The suitability of 1,4-exo, 7,8,9,10,10-heptachloro-5-methoxytricyclo [5,2,1,0(2,6)]dec-3,8-diene as internal standard was demonstrated. 14 toxaphenes with Parlar numbers and more than 60 unknown toxaphenes could be identified. Spatial and temporal trends of toxaphene contamination are presented by using the Parlar 22 components standard for quantification.     

Variation of toxaphene indicator compounds in fish from single fishing grounds: conclusions for sampling

The levels of three toxaphene indicator compounds were determined in individual lots of herring, redfish, Greenland halibut and farmed salmon. Concentration levels of the three marine fish species were characterised by a right-skewed frequency distribution whereas residue concentrations in farmed salmon were normally distributed. The toxaphene concentrations in the edible part of redfish, herring and Greenland halibut were found to be positively correlated to the sizes and thus to age. As results show, for representative sampling of a landed catch, not more than 10 individual fishes from typical size classes of a lot are necessary for a pooled sample.     

Congener-specific concentrations and carbon stable isotope ratios (delta13C) of two technical toxaphene products (Toxaphene and Melipax)

In this study we compared the contribution of individual congeners and the ratios of stable carbon isotopes of two technical toxaphene products. The former US-American product Toxaphene was from 1978 and the East-German product Melipax from 1979. Both technical products showed the known complexity in GC/ECD measurements. Contributions of 24 peaks to each of the technical products were determined by gas chromatography in combination high resolution electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-HRMS). The percentages of the compounds studied in the technical mixtures ranged from approximately 0.05% to approximately 2.5% but showed some individual differences. 2,2,5,5,8,9,9,10,10-nonachlorobornane (B9-1025 or P-62) was identified as a major congener in both mixtures. 2-Endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,10,10-octachlorobornane (B8-1413 or P26) and 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10,10-nonachlorobornane (B9-1679 or P-50) were found at similar concentration in both technical products. Identical amounts of Melipax or Toxaphene were combusted to CO2 in an element analyzer and their delta13C values were determined relative to the international standard Vienna PeeDee belemnite (VPDB). The mean delta13C values of both products varied by 2.8% (determined at two different locations) which is roughly one order of magnitude more than the precision obtained in repetitive analyses of the individual products. Thus, both investigated products could be unequivocally distinguished by stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). IRMS analyses may thus be a suitable tool for tracing back toxaphene residues in environmental and food samples to the one or both of the products.     

Studies of toxaphene in technical standard and extracts of background air samples (Point Petre, Ontario) using multidimensional gas chromatography-electron capture detection (MDGC-ECD)

MDGC-ECD procedures have been used to provide insight into the compositional complexity of some of the specific peaks or clusters observed in the gas chromatographic analysis of a technical toxaphene standard, with reference to individual toxaphene congeners (Parlar # components) that are flow commercially available. These investigations have focussed initially upon those peaks and clusters recently identified (Shoeib. M., Brice, K.A., Hoff, R., 1999. Chemosphere 39, 849-871) as dominant constituents of background ambient air. Multiple electron-capturing components have been found to be present in all the species studied: the available individual toxaphene congeners have been matched against these components where possible. In similar fashion, the responses obtained in equivalent gas chromatographic elution windows from the analysis of typical processed air sample extracts have been investigated, with the results showing clear differences relative to the patterns found in the technical toxaphene standard. In most cases, the air sample shows reduced complexity with fewer components present in the cluster. Also, the presence of interfering responses (due to PCBs and other organochlorines) is quite apparent and significant, showing that major problems and errors could arise when using single-column GC-ECD procedures for quantitation of toxaphene in environmental samples. The presence of certain of the Parlar species in the air samples has been confirmed and in most cases these represent the dominant toxaphene component found in the targeted cluster. Furthermore, the persistence of certain congeners in the atmospheric samples appears to be strongly dependent upon chemical structure, since the congeners in question possess an alternating exo-endo chlorine substitution pattern around the six-membered ring in the bornane skeleton. Such persistence is probably the result of lower metabolization of toxaphene residues in soils, water and sediments leading to a similar pattern in the atmosphere following volatilization.     

Toxaphene congeners in the Canadian Great Lakes basin: temporal and spatial food web dynamics

Samples of a top predator fish species, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and predominant forage species including smelt (Osmerus mordax), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) and lake herring (Coregonus artedii) were, collected from throughout 4 of the 5 Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario) (Fig. 1). Lake trout were also collected from three isolated lake systems (Lakes Nipigon, Simcoe and Opeongo), all located within the basin. All the samples were analysed for body burdens of total toxaphene and 22 toxaphene congeners. In addition, from each of the Great Lakes sites samples of major invertebrate dietary items, which included Mysis relicta, Diporeia hoyi and plankton, were similarly analysed. Whole lake trout samples, archived at -80 degrees C, were reanalysed to determine historical trends of toxaphene congeners plus carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures. The Lake Superior food web consistently had the highest levels of total toxaphene of all the Great Lakes monitored. The primary source of toxaphene to Lake Superior has been identified as atmospheric transport and deposition from sites in the southern US, Mexico and Central America (Hoff, R.M., Strachan, W.M.J., Sweet, C.W., Chan, C.H., Shackelton, M., Bidleman, T.F., Brice, K.A., Burnison, D.A., Cussion, S., Gatz, D.F., Harlin, K., Schroeder, W.H., 1996. Atmospheric deposition of toxic chemicals to the Great Lakes: A review of data through 1994. Atmospheric Environ. 30, 3505-3527). Of the offsystem lakes surveyed. Lake Nipigon, situated due north of Lake Superior and with a Lake Basin area of about 6% of Lake Superior (Hendendorf, C.E., 1982. J. Great Lakes Res. 8(3), 379-412) had total toxaphene levels in lake trout equivalent to about 50% of those found in lake trout from Lake Superior. Temporal trend toxaphene congener analysis was conducted on archived whole fish samples collected over the period 1980 through to the 1990's. Initially a nonachlorobornane congener (Parlar #50) was predominant, with congeners #40, #62 and #21 being the next most prominent in the 1980 samples. Samples from the 1990's showed a significant decline in the presence of lower chlorinated congeners #40 and #21. Analysis of total toxaphene in food webs, indicated elevated levels in lower trophic level species such as Diporeia and Cottus sp. which have a benthic association. The stable isotope temporal trend 13C signature identified a significant shift in the lake trout diet over the period 1993 to 1996.     

An interlaboratory round robin study on the analysis of toxaphene in a cod liver oil standard reference material

An inter-laboratory round robin analysis of toxaphene in a National Institute of Standards Cod Liver Oil #1588 was carried out. Analysis was performed by GC-ECD, electron capture negative ion GCMS (ECNI GCMS) and electron impact GC/MS in high resolution single ion monitoring mode (EI-HRSIM). Results of the analyses by GC-ECD, ECNI and HRSIM were 4.22±2.45 ppm, 3.95±1.57 ppm, and 2.35±0.06 ppm respectively. Due to the wide inter-laboratory variation in workup, GC conditions, detection method, and quantitation algorithms used, no one set of factors stood out as the cause of the variation in results.     

Long-range atmospheric transport of three toxaphene congeners across Europe. Modeling by chained single-box FATEMOD program

Background, aims, and scope  Since toxaphene (polychlorocamphene, polychloropinene, or strobane) mixtures were applied for massive insecticide use in the 1960s to replace the use of DDT, some of their congeners have been found at high latitudes far away from the usage areas. Especially polychlorinated bornanes have demonstrated dominating congeners transported by air up to the Arctic areas. Environmental fate modeling has been applied to monitor this phenomenon using parallel zones of atmosphere around the globe as interconnected environments. These zones, shown in many meteorological maps, however, may not be the best way to configure atmospheric transport in air trajectories. The latter could also be covered by connecting a chain of simple model boxes. We aim to study this alternative approach by modeling the trajectory chain using catchment boxes of our FATEMOD model. Polychlorobornanes analyzed in biota of the Barents Sea offered one case to study this modeling alternative, while toxaphene has been and partly still is used massively at southern East Europe and around rivers flowing to the Aral Sea. Materials and methods  Pure model substances of three polychlorobornanes (toxaphene congeners P26, P50, and P62) were synthesized, their environmentally important thermal properties measured by differential scanning calorimetry, as evaluated from literature data, and their temperature dependences estimated by the QSPR programs VPLEST, WATSOLU, and TDLKOW. The evaluated property parameters were used to model their atmospheric long-range transport from toxaphene heavy usage areas in Ukraine and Aral/SyrDarja/AmuDarja region areas, through East Europe and Northern Norway (Finnmarken) to the Barents Sea. The time period used for the emission model was June 1997. Usual weather conditions in June were applied in the model, which was constructed by chaining FATEMOD model boxes of the catchment’s areas along assumed maximal air flow trajectories. Analysis of the three chlorobornanes in toxaphene mixtures function as a basis for the estimates of emission levels caused by its usage. High estimate (A) was taken from contents in a Western product chlorocamphene and low estimate (B) from mean contents in Russian polychloroterpene products to achieve modeled water concentrations. Bioaccumulation to analyzed lipid of aquatic biota at the target region was estimated by using statistical calculation for persistent organic pollutants in literature. Results  The results from model runs A and B (high and low emission estimate) for levels in sea biota were compared to analysis results of samples taken in August 1997 at Barents Sea. The model results (ng g⁻¹ lw): 4–95 in lipid of planktovores and 7–150 in lipid of piscivores, were in fair agreement with the analysis results from August 1997: 21–31 in Themisto libellula (chatka), 26–42 in Boreocadus saida (Polar cod), and 5–27 in Gadus morhua (cod) liver. Discussion  The modeling results indicate that the application of chained simple multimedia catchment boxes on predicted trajectory is a useful method for estimation of volatile airborne persistent chemical exposures to biota in remote areas. For hazard assessment of these pollutants, their properties, especially temperature dependences, must be estimated by a reasonable accuracy. That can be achieved by using measurements in laboratory with pure model compounds and estimation of properties by thermodynamic QSPR methods. The property parameters can be validated by comparing their values at an environmental temperature range with measured or QSPR-estimated values derived by independent methods. The chained box method used for long-range air transport modeling can be more suitable than global parallel zones modeling used earlier, provided that the main airflow trajectories and properties of transported pollutants are predictable enough. Conclusions  Long-range air transport modeling of persistent, especially photo-resistant organic compounds using a chain of joint simple boxes of catchment’s environments is a feasible method to predict concentrations of pollutants at the target area. This is justified from model results compared with analytical measurements in Barents Sea biota in August 1997: three of six modeled values were high and the other three low compared to the analysis results. The order of magnitude level was similar in both modeled (planktovore and piscivore) and observed (chatka and polar cod) values of lipid samples. The obtained results were too limited to firm validation but are sufficient to justify feasibility of the method, which prompts one to perform more studies on this modeling system. Recommendations and perspectives  For assessment of the risk of environmental damages, chemical fate determination is an essential tool for chemical control, e.g., for EU following the REACH rules. The present conclusion of applicability of the chained single-box multimedia modeling can be validated by further studies using analyses of emissions and target biota in various other cases. To achieve useful results, fate models built with databases having automatic steps for most calculations and outputs accessible to all chemical control professionals are essential. Our FATEMOD program catchments at environments and compound properties listed in the database represent a feasible tool for local, regional, and, according our present test results, for global exposure predictions. As an extended use of model, emission estimates can be achieved by reversed modeling from analysis results of samples corresponding to the target area. This article is dedicated to the memory of Professor Alexander B Terentiev (who passed away in November 2006), our true friend. With his Institute of Organo-Element Compounds, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, he was an important main organizer of the six joint Finnish–Russian seminars (every third year since 1989) on the field (‘Chemistry and Ecology of Organo-Element Compounds’). He prompted us especially to search properties and environmental fates for various polyhalogen compounds. We remember him for his friendly character and great sense of humor.