Citation:

Cantwell, Mark G., J. Sullivan, AND Robert M. Burgess. Benzotriazoles: History, Environmental Distribution, and Potential Ecological Effects. Chapter 16, Eddy Y. Zeng (ed.), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Analytical Techniques, Environmental Fate and Biological Effects. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, 67:513-542, (2015).

Impact/Purpose:

Benzotriazoles are organic compounds that have been used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. These chemicals have been in commercial production since the late 1950s. Some benzotriazoles exhibit characteristics of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and have been discovered in the environment, justifying study for fate, transport, environmental persistence, and potential adverse effects.

Description:

Benzotriazoles are a class of organic compound that have been used as metal anticorrosive and ultraviolet stabilizer additives in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. These chemicals have been in commercial production and use since the late 1950s with many compounds being produced at volumes exceeding a half a million kilograms annually. Some benzotriazole compounds exhibit behavior characteristic of persistence organic pollutants (POPs), with emerging evidence indicating long term preservation and persistence in sediments is occurring. Other benzotriazoles associated with anticorrosion applications appear to be highly resistant to degradation, relatively water soluble and toxic to aquatic organisms. A significant number of benzotriazoles have been discovered in different environmental compartments at levels justifying further study for fate, transport, environmental persistence, and potential adverse effects. Consequently, benzotriazoles should be considered contaminants of emerging concern in the environment with POP-like characteristics.

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