Mathematical models are being increasingly used to estimate the
concentrations of a wide range of substances in the environment for a
variety of reasons, including government control and legislation, and
risk and hazard estimation. Exposure assessment has to be performed for
many types of substances, including pesticides, industrial chemicals,
pollutants, accidental discharges, etc. The interpretation of the
results of model equations should always bear in mind the purpose for
which the model used was built in the first place. Further, models are
always an abstraction of reality, requiring simplifying assumptions to
keep the models within the restraints posed by computer performance
and/or scientific knowledge.
The present book treats the theme of modelling chemical exposure and
risk in terms of four main topics: model characteristics, applications,
comparison of estimated with measured concentrations, and modelling
credibility.