A group of members is working to enhance SETAC’s activities in the area of fate and exposure modeling. This subject is particularly appropriate for SETAC sponsorship because it straddles the boundaries between environmental chemistry, biology, and toxicology. It covers topics such as mass balance modeling, multi-media partitioning, exposure, and uptake by a variety of organisms (including humans).

The first product has been a 78-page book, The Multi-Media Model: A Vital Tool for Predicting the Fate of Chemicals, edited by C.E. Cowan, D. Mackay, T.C.J. Feijtel, D. Van de Meent, A. Di Guardo, J. Davies, and N. Mackay. The book contains a state-of-the-art review of applications of multi-media fate models, a comparison of existing models, and guidance on the use of these models. There are also sections on accuracy, validation, and research needs. The book will be invaluable to those concerned with predicting and assessing the fate of chemicals and resulting exposure.