analytical chemistry
J u l y 1973, Vol 4 5 , N o . 8
Editor: HERBERT A. LAITINEN
Editorial
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Analytical Chemistry in Environmental Science VIII. Toxic Substances Control Act
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INSTRUMENTATION
ADVISORY
PANEL:
Jonathan W. Amy, Richard A. Durst, J. J. Kirkland, Charles E. Klopfenstein, Ronald H. Laessig, Marvin Margoshes, Harry L. Pardue, Howard J. Sloane, Ralph E. Thiers
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Pending legislation which would require testing of new chemi cal substances for environmental hazard prior to introduction to the market has potentially great significance to chemistry as a whole and to analytical chemistry in particular. While the exact terms of the legislation still remain to be clarified, it appears highly probable that some form of law will be enacted within a year. Recent articles in C&EN (March 26, ρ 12; April 30, ρ 30) have dealt with the problems that the proposed legislation would create within the chemical industry and the position of the ACS as representing the chemical profession more generally. Some of the more general problems being debated include the scope of coverage, the type of test data to be required, the allo cation of costs between the first and subsequent manufacturers, the enforcement procedures, and provisions for appeals. De pending upon the resolution of such questions, the analytical problems will correspondingly vary, but it is safe to say that any new legislation dealing with environmental testing of new sub stances will present challenges of awesome proportions to the analytical chemist. First of all, detection and quantitative estimation in the various components of the environment—including air, water, soil, plant materials, and animal materials—will need careful attention as to sampling procedures, separation techniques, and measurements. Then, a study of degradation under a variety of environmental conditions, with a study of interferences from the degradation products, is needed. Possible secondary or indirect environmental consequences, such as interactions between heavy metals and the new chemicals or their degradation prod ucts, need to be considered, especially if the product is to be deliberately applied in the field. Chemical manufacturers have, of course, long carried out studies of this sort on pesticides, herbicides, detergents, and other materials of potential environmental concern. Likewise, analytical information will be available for many other ma terials to be covered in the new legislation. Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of the proposed testing program will present quite a challenge to develop approaches with the necessary gen erality and flexibility to meet the needs of both the chemical industry and enforcement agencies.
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of manuscripts,
see A N A L Y T I C A L CHEMISTRY, VOL. 45, NO. 8, J U L Y 1973 ·
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