The Environmental Model Segment Approach for estimating potential environmental concentrations. I. The model.

Global distribution models which can be used for evaluating the environmental impact of persistent chemicals are not well suited to assess the environmental impact of less persistent substances; this is due to the fact that the environmental effects caused by the latter substances--if there are any--are only local or regional (close to the emission source), but not ubiquitous. As a tool for estimating potential regional exposure concentrations, the Environmental Model Segment Approach (EMSA) is presented. This model yields information about possible concentrations in reasonable worst-case situations.