| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
206440
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| Synonyms | Fluoranthene |
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Benzo(j,k)fluorene |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 610 |
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EPA Method 625 |
EPA Method 8100 |
EPA Method 8250A |
EPA Method 8310 |
| Molecular Formula | C16H10 |
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| Use | CONSTITUENT OF COAL TAR & PETROLEUM DERIVED ASPHALT USED AS
LINING MATERIAL TO PROTECT INTERIOR OF STEEL & DUCTILE-IRON POTABLE
WATER PIPES AND STORAGE TANKS
RESEARCH CHEMICAL
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| Apparent Color | COLORED NEEDLES; PALE YELLOW NEEDLES OR PLATES FROM
ALCOHOL
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| Boiling Point | ABOUT 375 DEG C
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| Melting Point | 111 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 202.26
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| Density | 1.252 AT 0 DEG C/4 DEG C
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| Environmental Impact | Fluoranthene's release into air and water is quite general since it is a universal product of
combustion of organic matter and is present in fossil fuel products. Its release is greatest in areas
of high anthropogenic activity. Both in air and water it is largely associated with particulate
matter. When released into water, it will rapidly become adsorbed to sediment and particulate
matter in the water column, and bioconcentrate into aquatic organisms. In fact, concentrations in
shellfish such as clams and mussels are an excellent indicator of pollution in a localized area. In
the unadsorbed state it will degrade by photolysis (half-life days to wk). It appears to be stable in
sediment for decades or more. Because it is strongly adsorbed to soil, it should remain in the
upper few centimeters of the soil. However, its detection in groundwater demonstrates that it can
be transported there by some process(es). It should biodegrade in a few years in the presence of
acclimated microorganisms. The fluoranthene released in the atmosphere will photodegrade in the
free state (half-life 4-5 days). Aerosols and particulate matter containing sorbed fluoranthene is
sufficiently stable to be transported long distances while being subject to gravitational settling and
rainout. Photochemical smog situations enhance the degradation of both the sorbed molecule and
the free vapor. Human exposure is from ambient air and ingesting food contaminated with
products of combustion or prepared in such a manner (smoking, charcoal broiling) as to generate
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure from drinking water is less common since water
treatment such as filtration and chlorination removes fluoranthene. Distribution systems lined with
coal tar or asphalt can sometimes contribute measurable amounts of fluoranthene to the drinking
water.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: Fluoranthene adsorbs strongly to soil and would be expected to
remain in the upper layers of soil. However, it has been detected in groundwater samples which
demonstrates that it can be transported there by some process(es). It slowly degrades in soil
(half-life ca 5 mo to 2 yr).
AQUATIC FATE: When fluoranthene is released into water it will partially sorb to sediment and
particulate matter in the water column including phytoplankton, zooplankton and detrital
particles . Photolysis should occur in the surface layers of water (half-life 21 hr in clear water,
ca 200 hr in turbid water). When a crude oil dispersion was placed in the top of a water column in
a controlled ecosystem in Saanich Inlet, Canada, the fluoranthene concn in the water column
decreased exponentially, declining to half its initial concentration in 3-4 days. After 17 days, 10%
of the fluoranthene was recovered in the sediment . In another study, fluoranthene concns in
sediment core samples in an area near a ferro-smelter in Norway were approximately constant
down to a depth of 6-8 cm below which it sharply declined . The depth of sediment can be
correlated with the year it was desposited and a depth of 6-8 cm correspond to 1923 when when
the smelter was installed . This suggests that little or no degradation occurred in the
sediment.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Fluoranthene released into the atmosphere exists as the free vapor as
well as adsorbed to particulate matter. The unadsorbed chemical will photolyze as well as react
with such molecules as ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. The half-life is approximately
4-5 days. The sorbed molecule is considerably more stable, traveling long distances under
appropriate wind conditions. It will be subject to gravitational settling and rainout. The sorbed
chemical, however, appears to degrade at about the same rate as the free chemical under
photochemical smog conditions.
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| Drinking Water Impact | DRINKING WATER: Ottawa drinking water (Jan-Feb 1978) 0.55 and 1.9 ng/l . 18
USA cities - (finished water) not detected in 11 cities (detection limit 0.1-0 ng/l), 1-8.9 ng/l in 7
cities, 94.5 ng/l in Wheeling WV . Derwent England finished water 0.8 ng/l . Filtration,
activated carbon treatment and chlorination remove considerable amounts of fluoranthene from
drinking water. However distribution systems with asphalt or coal tar linings can contribute
fluoranthene to the tap water. In one extreme case, Portland Oregon, the raw water had 4 ng/l and
the distributed water 640 ng/l fluoranthene . Nordic tap water <0.58-24 ng/l . Detected at
>0.1 ug/l in finished water from 5 of 10 utilities in Ohio River Basin .
GROUND WATER: Concn as high as 10 ug/l have been detected in contaminated ground water
in the Netherlands . Groundwater in Germany 26.2-169.0 ng/l . Detected in raw water from
ground water supply in Ohio River Basin . Detected in 1 of 4 wells sampled in November down
gradient from spray irrigation field treating wastewater from wood preserving plant using
creosote; these samples in July showed no PAH .
SURFACE WATER: Detected in 8 of 10 sites on Ohio River and tributaries and the raw
water of 7 of 9 utilities using surface water sources in the Ohio River Basin . River water
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