Releases to surface water will decrease in concn almost entirely due to evaporation. Spills on land will decrease in concentration almost entirely due to volatilization and leaching. Releases to air may be transported long distances and partially return to earth in rain. In the troposphere, 1,1,1-trichloroethane will degrade very slowly by photooxidation and also slowly diffuse to the stratosphere where photodegradation will be rapid. Major human exposure is from air and drinking water.
Exposure can be high near sources of emission or where drinking water is contaminated.
1,1,1-Trichloroethane evaporates fairly rapidly into the atmosphere because of its high vapor pressure. Because 1,1,1-trichloroethane does not adsorb strongly to soil, it should leach extensively. Primary loss will be by evaporation into the atmosphere. Half-life will range from hours to a few weeks depending on wind and mixing conditions. Biodegradation and adsorption onto particulate matter will be insignificant relative to volatilization .