| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
205992
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| Synonyms | Benzo(b)fluoranthene |
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Benz[e]acephenanthrylene | 3,4-Benzofluoranthene |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 610 |
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EPA Method 625 |
EPA Method 8100 |
EPA Method 8250A |
EPA Method 8310 |
| Molecular Formula | C20H12 |
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| Use | RESEARCH CHEMICAL
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| Apparent Color | NEEDLES (RECRYSTALLIZED FROM BENZENE), COLORLESS NEEDLES
(RECRYSTALLIZED FROM TOLUENE OR GLACIAL ACETIC ACID)
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| Melting Point | 168 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 252.32
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| Environmental Impact | Release of benzo(b)fluoranthene is most likely to result from the incomplete combustion
of a variety of fuels including wood and fossil fuels. Plants may produce benzo(b)fluoranthene.
When released to water, adsorption to suspended sediments is expected to remove most of the
benzo(b)fluoranthene from solution. Photolysis and photo-oxidation of the benzo(b)fluoranthene
which remains in solution is expected to occur but adsorbed benzo(b)fluoranthene is expected to
resist these processes. Volatilization and biodegradation of dissolved benzo(b)fluoranthene may
also occur. Bioconcentration in fish may occur; however microsomal oxidase, an enzyme capable
of rapidly metabolizing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, is present. Release to the soil may
result in some biodegradation. Due to the anticipated strong adsorption of benzo(b)fluoranthene
to the soil, volatilization, photolysis and leaching to groundwater are not expected to be
significant. Benzo(b)fluoranthene in the atmosphere is likely to be adsorbed to particulate matter,
and will be subject to wet and dry deposition. Benzo(b)fluoranthene in the vapor phase will react
with photochemically generated, atmospheric hydroxyl radicals with an estimated half-life of 1.00
day. Photolysis of vapor phase benzo(b)fluoranthene will be rapid, but the adsorbed compound
may not photolyze significantly. Benzo(b)fluoranthene is a contaminant in air, water, sediment,
soil, fish, and other aquatic organisms and food. Human exposure results primarily from air.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: Oily sludge was repeatedly applied to soil in lab. After 1280
days, 79.4% of the added benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) remained. An unspecified portion of this
degradation was attributed to biodegradation . Very strong adsorption of BbF to soil is
expected. Leaching to groundwater and volatilization are, therefore, expected to be slow,
relatively insignificant processes.
AQUATIC FATE: Volatilization, photolysis and photooxidation of dissolved
benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) may occur, but most benzo(b)fluoranthene is expected to be
adsorbed to sediments, so these other fate processes are not expected to be significant.
Bioconcentration of benzo(b)fluoranthene may be significant, although fish can rapidly metabolize
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by the action of microsomal oxidase .
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: An atmospheric half-life of 1.00 day was estimated for the reaction of
vapor phase benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) with photochemically generated hydroxyl
radicals(1,SRC). Adsorbed BbF will not react with hydroxyl radicals at this rate. Vapor phase
benzo(b)fluoranthene is expected to directly photolyze at a rapid rate in the atmosphere, but the
adsorbed compound may not do so.
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| Drinking Water Impact | SURFACE WATER: Bellevue, WA - 1% samples pos, 2 ug/l .
Benzo(b,k)fluoranthene isomers were 190-1008 ng/g in suspended sediments from the Niagara
River at Niagara-on-the-Lake . Great Britain - 3.76-339.12 ng/l in four rivers used or intended
for use as public water supply and 16.17-76.8 ng/l in water from rivers not intended for public
water supply . Great Britain - <3-5 ng/l . Great Britain raw water (flowing into water
treatment plants) - 5-139 ng/l . Great Britian - Tamar Estuary, water, 9.3 ng/l, suspended
sediments, 871 ng/g . Benzo(b)fluoranthene was detected but not quantified in water samples
taken in Ontario and in water samples taken in water surrounded by industry in Japan(6). BbF
was 6600 ng/l in samples of surface water contaminated with road runoff .
DRINKING WATER: Netherlands - 0.003 ug/l avg, 0.045 ug/l maximum . Great Britain - <
0.5-1 ng/l . Benzo(b)fluoranthene was detected but not quantified in drinking water from an
unspecified source .
GROUNDWATER: Netherlands - 3 ug/l maximum . Benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) was
detected but not quantified in samples of groundwater contaminated with coal-tar wastes .
Benzo(b)fluoranthene was < 1-4 ng/l in water from various groundwater distribution systems .
RAIN/SNOW: Rain water - 4.4-14.6 ng/l . Benzo(b)fluoranthene was detected but not
quantified in liquid and particulates from precipitation in Norway .
EFFL: Sewage effluent in Japan contained 26.0 ng/l benzo(b)fluoranthene . Sewage effluents
(United Kingdom) - 9.9-40.85 ng/l . Combined residues of benzo(b,j,k)fluoranthene isomers
were found in sediments from the effluent channel from a coking plant in an unspecified location
at 23 ug/g dry weight . Benzo(b)fluoranthene in treated wastewater effluents from a variety of
industries were as follows . Coil coating - 30 samples, 3.33% pos, 10 ug/l maximum; foundries
- 1 sample, 100% pos, 6 ug/l maximum; nonferrous metals manufacturing 42 samples, 2.4% pos,
ND-12 ug/l, 0.5 ug/l avg; timber products processing 9 samples, 33.3% pos, 10-2500 ug/l, 10 ug/l
avg .
Domestic effluent: 0.036-0.202 ppb; Sewage (high percentage industry): 0.525-0.87 ppb;
Sewage during dry weather: 0.039 ppb.
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