Biolog, biodeg, and fate/expos: New files on microbial degradation and toxicity as well as environmental fate/exposure of chemicals

Abstract

Abstract The environmental fate/exposure data base (EFEDB) has been under development with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency support since 1979. It was initiated because of the difficulty of identifying environmental release, fate and exposure information using traditional literature searches. Two new components (BIOLOG and BIODEG), which contain microbial toxicity and biodegradation information, and an update of the overall EFEDB file are described. In addition, a chemical fate/exposure file (FATE/EXPOS) is discussed; it contains production and use data as well as physical-chemical properties, chemical fate data and monitoring information. EFEDB has been greatly expanded since its initial development, and considerable conversions are planned to make most of the files available through the Chemical Information System (CIS). A major goal of EFEDB was to provide a source of data for constructing structure-activity correlations and BIODEG is one of the first steps in providing evaluated data for such correlations. FATE/EXPOS provides sorting capabilities for setting priorities in testing or regulation based on easily obtainable information about exposure potential.