[Chemical accident in Schönbeck--an assessment of the risk to health and environment].

Travelling from Belgium to the BUNA works in Schkopau, ten of eighteen tank wagons filled with vinyl chloride (VC) derailed on the Magdeburg-Halle railway line just outside Schönebeck station. One wagon exploded and four others went up in flames. Buildings and trees in gardens located in the immediate vicinity of the track caught fire and burned.

[Distribution pattern of chemicals in surface waters as a reflexion of entry pattern--heavy metals].

The concentrations of the heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in surface water samples of an industrialized city and its surroundings. All but one value of Cd (particular) were less than 0.5 microgram l-1, 30% of the lead (particular) values were less than 0.