Chemosphere 2007-04-01

A preliminary assessment of the potential environmental and human health impact of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine as a result of space activities.

Lars Carlsen, Olga A Kenesova, Svetlana E Batyrbekova

Index: Chemosphere 67(6) , 1108-16, (2007)

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Abstract

A preliminary assessment of the potential environmental and human health impact of UDMH as a result of space activities has been carried out applying a theoretical approach in comparison with selected experimental data. The theoretical framework includes QSAR, ADME and PASS modelling as well as studies on the possible atmospheric dispersion of UDMH as calculated applying the OML-Multi model. The possible impact on the environment and the human health has been elucidated and it has been concluded that UDMH especially inside the fall region of burned-out rocket stages constitute a significant threat to both environmental and human health, the latter as a results of the carcinogenic, mutagenic, convulsant, teratogenic and embryotoxic characteristics of UDMH in addition to the general toxic characteristics of the compound.