&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards (WH-553)
Washington DC 20460
December 1981
EPA-440/4-85-014
Water
An Exposure
and Risk Assessment
for 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
-------
DISCLAIMER
This is a contractor's final report, which has been reviewed by the Monitoring and Data Support
Division, U.S. EPA. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
-------
5027?-101
REPORT DOCUMENTATION »• «PORT NO. t
PAGE EPA-4AO/4-85-014
4. Title and Subtitle
An Exposure and Risk Assessment for 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
7. Autnorts) Perwak, J. ; Byrne, M. ; Goyer, M. ; Nelken, L.; and
Wood, M. (ADL) Cruse, P. and Moss K. (Acurex Corporation)
9. Performing Organization Nam* and Address
Arthur D. Little, Inc. Acurex Corporation
20 Acorn Park 485 Clyde Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140 Mt . View, CA 94042
12. Sponsoring Organization Nama and Address
Monitoring and Data Support Division
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
3. Recipient's Accession No,
S. Raport Date — . , n .
Final Revision
December 1981
«.
S. Performing Organization Rapt. No.
la Praiact/Ta*k/Work Unit No.
11. Contr»ct(O or Grant(G) No.
C-68-01-6017
13. Type of Raport & Period Covered
Final
14.
15. Supplamantary Notes
Extensive Bibliographies
16. Abstract (Umlt 200 word*)
This report assesses the risk of exposure to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. This study is
part of a program to identify the sources of and evaluate exposure to 129 priority
pollutants. The analysis is based on available information from government, industry,
and technical publications assembled in March of 1981.
The assessment includes an identification of releases to the environment during
production, use, or disposal of the substance. In addition, the fate of 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane in the environment is considered; ambient levels to which various
populations of humans and aquatic life are exposed are reported. Exposure levels are
estimated and available data on toxicity are presented and interpreted. Information
concerning all of these topics is combined in an assessment of the risks of exposure
to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane for various subpopulations.
17. Document Analysis a. Descriptor*
Exposure
Risk
Water Pollution
Air Pollution
b. Identlflers/Opon-Ended Terms
Pollutant Pathways
Risk Assessment
e. COSATI FleW/GnMip Q6F 06T
Effluents
Waste Disposal
Food Contamination
Toxic Diseases
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region V, Library
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
1. Availability Statement
Release to Public
19. Security Cleaa (This Report)
Unclassified
20. Security Claaa (This Page)
Unclassified
21. No. of Pages
46
22. Price
$8.50
MANSI-Z39.1g)
See /natruet/ona on Reverse
OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
(Formerly NTIS-35)
Department of Commerce
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EPA-440/4-85-014
March 1981
(Revised December 1981)
AN EXPOSURE AND RISK ASSESSMENT
FOR 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE
by
Joanne Perwak
iMelanie Byrne, Muriel Goyer,
Leslie Nelken, and Melba Wood
Arthur D. Little, Inc.
U.S. EPA Contract No. 68-01-6160
Patricia Cruse
Kenneth Moss
Acurex Corporation
U.S. EPA Contract No. 68-01-6017
Gregory Kew
Project Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Monitoring and Data Support Division (WH-553)
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
Washington, D.C. 20460
OFFICE OF WATER REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
OFFICE OF WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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FOREWORD
™ °
the
a
assessment of risk for htnnans and aquatic life and "'
zs. :^sr.ss- - ^
This document is a contractors' final reoort Tt- i,.. v
Michael W. Sliaak, Chief
Exposure Assessment Section
Monitoring & Data Support Division (WH-553)
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
111
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?age
TABLE OF CONTEXTS
LIST OF FIGURES
vii
LIST OF TABLES
viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ix
1.0 TECHNICAL SUMMARY
1-1
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2-1
3.0 MATERIALS BALANCE
3-1
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Production of 1,1.2,2-Tetr.chloroethane I'}
->.2.1 Direct Sources 3-1
3.2.2 Indirect Sources 3~1
3.3 Uses of 1,1,2, 2-Tetrachloroethane J-2
3.3.1 Manufacturing Intermediate 3~4
3.3.2 Solvent Uses 3-4
3.4 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane in POTWs 3"4
3.5 Summary and Conclusions 3-7
References 3-8
3-9
4.0 FATE AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT ^
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Monitoring Data 4-1
4.2.1 STORE! 4-1
4.2.2 Other Surveys 4-1
4.2.2.1 Wastewater 4~3
4-2.2.2 Atmosphere 4~3
4.2.2.3 Groundwater 4~3
«">
4-7
3.0 EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE — HUMANS
- •, 5-1
3.1 Human Toxicity
': i: 2 iSS1"' "ater Qualit>- ^"^
5.1.3 Human Data 5-1
5.2 Human Exposure 5-2
5.2.1 Introduction 5-3
5.2.2 Ingestion 5-3
5.2.2.1 Drinking Water 5~3
5-3
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
5.2.2.2 Food 5_3
5.2.3 Inhalation 5~
References
6.0 EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE — AQUATIC BIOTA g.i
6.1 Effects on Aquatic Biota 6_-,
6.2 Exposure of Aquatic Biota 6~,
References , .
o-j
7.0 RISK CONSIDERATIONS 7_1
7.1 Risk Considerations for Hunans 7_i
7.2 Risk Considerations for Aquatic Biota 7.4
Reference _ .
vi
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
No. Pag(
3-1 U.S. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Materials
Balance, 1980 3-3
vii
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LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
3-1 1,1, 2, 2-Tetrachloroethane Distribution in POTWs
and Sludge, Selected Urban Sites 3~5
3-2 Frequency of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Detection 3_6
in Industrial Wastewuter
4-1 Percentage Distribution of Unremarked and Remarked
Ambient Concentrations of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
in STORET, 1980 4-2
4-2 Levels of l,l,2,2-Te':rachloroethane Detected in
Ambient Air of Several U.S. Regions 4-4
6-1 Toxicity of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane for Fresh-
water and Saltwater Biota 6-2
7-1 Effects of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane on Laboratory
Animals and Humans 7-2
7-2 Summary of Available Information on Human Exposure
to 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 7-3
viii
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
o tner •
biota), Muriel Cover (h Sc J? Lf11; fj"6/^*"- ^ «qu.tic
and Melba Wood (monitoring da ") ^ 1 J ^^ ^nviro^ntal fate),
responsible for report production. *" 3nd Irene Ri^^au2h were
The materials balance for 1 1 2 2-fPi-i-a^i
developed by Kenneth Moss and Pat^clf c'usTof^r^r (Chapter 3-°> w
contract 68-01-6017 to the Monitoring anTn^ V Corporation, under
of Water Regulations and Standards u S E?f pT^ DTivision' °«ice
responsible for report production ^n^hal^f
Dr. GregorKev?Vir°nmental Pr°tecti- Agency project onager
was
ix
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1-0 TECHNICAL SUMMARY
wa
s
chloroethane in the environment and ther *Xposure to 1.1.2, 2-tetra-
exposure. ironment and the risks associated with that
has been shown to be
systems. Based
cinogen Assessment Group
carcinogen. Subsequently s
specified the ambie'nt fre^hwate
carcinoeenicity, EPA's Car-
usPe"ed human
been
in
" 159°
incident
- than
tected. Though it is not li^irthar^
a typical human exposure level the L? ^A
well as the potential f Jr dltection at otL'r '^ "J^" exists« as
ever, the limited use of this ch^LI? ! W3Ste dis*' :— sites. How-
is not likely. chemical suggests that wiaespread exposure
cod in the
subpopulation exposed is expected to be ,uite s^ll!" 1O"' a"d £h"S the
™ ru
time cancer risk of greater than in-5 K ! Ult in an Additional life-
extrapolation for the§ water qualify crite'ria"'^ ^ ^ ^^
actual evidence of exposure at these lev^L rrH°Wever> the" is no
to represent the greatest poten **** diSP°Sal Sites
throug, consumption^f
1-1
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1-2 EXPOSURE AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS — OTHER BIOTA
The lowest level at which effects on aquatic organisms have been
observed is 2400 ug/l. The limited monitoring data suggest that levels
are generally below 10 yg/1, and no reported ambient level, even tran-
siently, exceeded 2400 yg/1. Thus, based on the limited data available,
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane does not appear to present a significant risk
to aquatic biota. However, a wide range of species have not been tested.
1-3 SOURCES AND FATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
The compound 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is no longer produced in the
U.S. An estimated 22,000 kkg were produced in 1978 and used primarily as
a chemical intermediate. A small amount of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
(about 56 kkg) is now imported for use as a solvent in such industries
as Pharmaceuticals, leather tanning, and textiles. This chemical is
produced inadvertently in the production of other chlorinated hydrocar-
bons, specifically vinyl chloride monomer and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
The reported half-life of 1,1,1-trichloroethane in the troposphere
has been estimated to be on the order of a few years. One might infer
comparable persistence for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. It is likely that
most of the released compound will reach the stratosphere, where it may
be dissociated.
The primary fate pathway of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane entering
aquatic systems is expected to be volatilization. Hydrolysis, biode-
gradation, and bioaccumulation are not expected to be competitive
processes. Though the half-life for volatilization in the laboratory
has been found to be 56 minutes, the half-life is expected to be consi-
derably longer in actual aquatic systems, as has been found for other
structurally-related volatile organics (i.e., 1,.. ,1-trichloroethane and
1,2-dichloroethane).
The fate of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in soil is unknown but is
expected to be dominated by volatilization and movement with groundwater.
1-2
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2.0 INTRODUCTION
l
a program to evaluate theSpo^ure L I * ^ A§etlCy' is cond^ting
priority pollutants in the nation ' C1SkS resulti"§ from 129
evaluated include potential ham to Jnviro?nent- The risks to be
on fish and other b'Lta! The «al of^ r*^ J°d deleter^s effects
has been prepared is to integrate info™ M " WhiCh this reP°rt
mental flows of specific prioritv £??T ° On Cultural a^ environ-
based on receptor exposure to thLT x " 3nd estimate th« risk
tended to serve as a basis for £v 7 "J nC'8- ThS results are i
-> +
chloroethane that considers quantities of thi ^ 7 ?
consumed in var chemical
for various medid h
available
Chapter 6 considers tox
of biota, predominantly
Chapter 7 presents a rai..= .,, -™,,«,
humans
2-1
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3*° MATERIALS BALANCE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
E
each
.
the Dnited St.t... Information .v^luii; f^ t^v"" "' """'"
critiqued and compiled in ort.r I * bl* from the literature has been
of environmental releases of 11 2 ITT" ^ OVervie» °f -3" sources
tables have been Included. ' 2'2-te"achloroethane. Fully annotated
are pSente? in S^tio^ ^1 °
preliminary materials balance fSeet'for 1 ?T?ry' al°"S with a
is included in Section 3.5. tlo"sheet f°r 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane,
3-2 pg°PUCTIOH OF 1.1.2. 2-TETRACHLOROETHtllF
past production
no, eicner direct >'
other chlorinated
3.2.1 Direct Sources
sources of thepound, either directeT Pr°UCti?n ™<
(e.g., .anufacture'or o^er'ch^orS e'd^ocSo^f "
sss-
0-50 g/ke 1122 r^ !r Z d Up°n an e°ission factor of
jv g/Kg 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane produced fEPA lq77a^
11 kkg were emitted to the atmosphere that year Th ' f proxlmatelV
from the reflux condenser vent of the chlor?n«M "leases stemmed
of the solvent were found in wastewater (Si S^)"*"0^ ^ traC6S
the
is d"f-ent, however. In
3-1
-------
estimated 56 kkg were imported. There are no reported exports
(Harris 1980, Miller 1980).
3.2.2 Indirect Sources
The manufacture of other chlorinated hydrocarbons, specifically
vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, generates small
quantities of byproduct 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. Most of the 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane so produced is recycled as feedstock for other chloro-
carbons or is incinerated.
Some quantity of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is found in tars and
heavy ends from VCM manufacture.. Based on VCM production of 2.66 x
106 kkg (via 1,2-dichloroethane), 0.8 kg tar produced/kkg VCM produced
and 12% 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (by weight) in tar, 255 kkg of
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane would be contained in VCM tar (Jensen et al.
1975, USITC 1980). Tars are usually treated to recover the organic
compounds present and then are either landfilled or incinerated
(McPherson ^t al. 1979). If the organic compound recovery process is
90% efficient, 26 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane would be available
for land disposal or incineration. Although landfilling of these tars
has, in the past, been the usual disposal method, incineration of VCM
tars is becoming more common as regulations governing landfills are
increased. For purposes of this materials balance, it has been assumed
that 50% of the tars are landfilled and 50% are incinerated (incineration
efficiency - 99.5%). Thus 13 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane are land
disposed, while <1 kkg is emitted to the atmosphere via incineration.
VCM heavy ends reportedly contain 0.004 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
ethane per kkg VCM produced (Gruber 1976). Thus if 2.89 x 106 kkg of VCM
were produced in 1979 (USITC 1980), 11,560 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
would be generated per year. These wastes are either recycled or inciner-
ated, both at 99.5% efficiency (Kew 1980). Therefore, approximately
60 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane would be emitted to the atmosphere
from recycle distillation vents or incineration per year. The major waste-
water source of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is the recycle purification of
the intermediate, l,2-dichloroet:hane. A typical total organic carbon (TOC)
discharge rate is 0.15 kg TOC/434 kg VCM product (EPA 1977a). If 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane is assumed to be present in the recycle effluent stream
at the same proportion of TOC as, in the heavy ends (i.e., 0.004 kkg/kkg),
a total of 3.8 kkg 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane would be discharged to water
from the manufacture of 2.89 x 1Q6 kkg of VCM (see Figure 3-1).
The compound 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is also found in solid wastes
from 1,1,1-trichloroethane manufacture via vinyl chloride. Based on SRI
estimates of 40.8 kg 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane produced per kkg of
1,1,1-trichloroethane (via vinyl chloride) and a 1979 production of
297,000 kkg of 1,1,1-trichloroethane, about 12,100 kkg of 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane were generated in 1979 (Elkin 1969). These solid
wastes are currently recycled (99.5% efficiency assumed) as a feedstock
for other chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as vinylidene chloride and
3-2
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Production
Direct Sources:
Domestic
Manufacture
neg
Imports
56
Uses
Specialty
Solvent (e.g.,
pharmaceutical,
leather
tanning,
textiles)
56
Estimated Environmental Releases
A'r Land water
56
neg neg
Indirect Sources:
POTWs
77
Manufacture of
Vinyl Chloride
Monomer
Manufacture of
1 J,l-Trichloroethane
Chlorination of
Water Supply
41
60
60
neg
13
neg
36
3.3
0.4
nea
Figure 3-1. U.S. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachlo
roethane Materials Balance, 1980 (kkg)
3-3
-------
trichloroethylene (EPA 1979d). Thus, about 60 kkg of. 1,1,2,2-tetra-
chloroethane were emitted to the atmosphere in 1979 from 1,1,1-trichloro-
ethane manuracture. An estimate of the loading to water of 1,1,2,2-tetra-
chloroethane from this manufacturing process can be derived using'the
method followed for VCM manufacture (see above). If it is assumed that
-»0.8 kg/kkg is also the concentration of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in the
TOC of the recycle effluent stream, and that the concentration of TOG is
again 0.15 kg/454 kg, a total oi: 0.4 kkg 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane will
be released to water during the manufacture of 297,000 kkg 1,1,1-tri-
chloroethane (see Figure 3-1). Previously, these solid wastes were
disposed of on land. Due to rising costs of chlorine, paucity of
appropriate disposal sites, and RCRA regulations, recycle/reuse of these
wastes is presently more economically attractive.
Chlorination of water supplies and wastewaters is a possible pathway
for formation of various chlorinated hydrocarbons; however, there is no
clear evidence that this process is a source of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.
The EPA National Organics Monitoring Survey (EPA 1977b) detected the
compound, but did not quantify it; the National Organics Reconnaissance
Survey (Symons et al. 1975) did not address 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.
While this chemical was detected in some POTW* effluents and sludges
(see Table 3-1), there is no indication of an increase in concentration
upon treatment. If anything there may be a net removal of this compound.
3-3 USES OF 1.1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE
The following is a discussion of the possible uses of 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane. Included are estimates of environmental releases
from present and past practices.
3-3.1 Manufacturing Intermediate
The major domestic use of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, until cessation
of production, was as a feedstock in the manufacture of trichloroethylene,
tetrachloroethylene and 1,2-dichloroethylene (Archer 1979). Today,
however, domestic production of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has been
terminated due to the high cost of acetylene. Environmental releases
from the manufacture of other chlorinated hydrocarbons have been discussed
as inadvertent sources in Section 3.2.2.
3.3.2 Solvent Uses
The major market today for the 56 kkg of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
imported to the U.S. is as a specialty process and cleaning solvent in
various industries; the primary ase is as an extraction solvent in the
pharmaceutical industry (Aldrich 1980). Judging from (1) the low
incidence of detection in industrial wastewaters (see Table 3-2);
(2) the detection of only trace amounts in treated wastewater of certain
exemplary industries (EPA 1979a,b; EPA 1980d,e,f); (3) the use of exhaust
systems in leather tanning to vent 99% of solvent fumes to the atmosphere
(Lollar 1980); (4) the assumption that pharmaceutical extraction
A
POTW = Publiclv-Owned Treatment Works
3-4
-------
Table 3-1.
Plant
Average Flow
106 i/da
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1C
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Median Values
340
30
42
320
83
27
190
87
200
87
160
150
64
53
27
550
57
240
260
450
% Industrial
Contribution
Concentrations (ug/1)
f fluent Slucice
Simple Mean
Flow Weighted Mean
30
<5
10
7
10
38
15
10
10
5
18
50
33
25
25
16
25
50
20
15-22
ND
NO
NO
18
1
<1
<5
<1
1
ND
ND
<1
ND
ND
ND
ND
<1
2.1
3.9
ND
ND
ND
2
<5
<1
<5
ND
ND
<1
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
<0.5
1.0
1.0
ND
ND
NU
43
40
0.5
26
<5
<3
ND
ND
0.5
ND
ND
ND
ND
32
41
15
ND
0.25
10.0
Not Detected
Source: £PA (1980)".
3-5
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Table 3-2. Frequency of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Detection in
Industrial Wastewater
Industry
Leather Tanning
Gum and Wood Products
Printing and Publishing
Paint and Ink
Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals
Organics and Plastics
Coal Mining
Petroleum Refining
Iron and Steel
Nonferrous Metals
Photographic
Inorganic Chemicals
Auto and Other Laundries
Phosphates
(Fertilizer Manufacture)
Mechanical Products
Frequency
!r found//; samples
2/81
1/18
3/109
2/S4
7/147
5/212
25/723
29/249
11/76
4/431
12/173
1/25
2/107
2/56
Percent
2,5%
5,6
2,8
2,1
4.8
2.4
3.5
11.7
14.5
0.9
6.9
4.0
1.9
3.6
6/33 18.2
1/35
2.9
Source: EPA (1980b).
3-6
-------
solvents that are recycled from vent condensers and carbon recovery
systems (Lo 1980) will eventually be completely volatilized; and (5) the
fact that negligible amounts of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane accumulate in
POTW sludge (see Section 3.4), it is estimated that all of the 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane used in solvent applications is released to the atmos-
phere (see Figure 3-1). This emission will be divided among a number of
different operations and facilities, and thus the release will be widely
dispersed.
Despite the fact that 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is no longer
produced, poorly controlled storage and disposal of chemical production
wastes in the past can result in releases. The Ott/Story Chemical
Company site (now owned by Cordova Chemical Company) in North Muskegon,
Michigan is presently being investigated for groundwater contamination.
Levels of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in the range <5-l,590 ug/1 have been
detected, along with other organic pollutants. It is presumed that the
source of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane contamination was its use as a
process solvent, cleaning solvent, or manufacturing intermediate in the
late 1950s and early 1960s (Cardy 1980, Shuckrow et al. 1980). The
presence of other chlorinated solvents in groundwater has been documented
(e.g., Phillipe 1980, Fishburn 1980), but these studies do not include
information on 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, either because it was not
detected or not included in the chemical analysis.
3.4 1,1.2.2-TETRACHLOROETHANE IN PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTWs)
Input of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane to POTWs is largely dependent
upon variations in industrial discharges feeding the POTWs and the types
of industry in a particular municipality. A recent EPA study of selected
urban POTW facilities with secondary treatment and varying feed conditions
produced a materials balance of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane shown in
Table 3-2.
An overall materials balance can be constructed using a total POTW
flow of 1011 I/day (EPA 1978) and simple mean values of 2.1 ug/1
(influent) and 1.0 ug/1 (effluent) for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (see
Table 3-2). It is assumed for purposes of these calculations that
influent and effluent flow rates are equal, i.e., that water losses from
sludge removal and evaporation are small compared with influent flows.
Using these assumptions, 36 kkg 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane were discharged
from POTWs in 1980, while there was an input of 77 kkg (see Figure 3-1).
The amount of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane discharged in sludge can be
estimated from the concentration in sludge and quantity of dry sludge
produced annually, 6.0 x 106 kkg (EPA 1979c). If the simple mean
concentration of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in POTW wet sludge is assumed
to be 10 ug/1 (see Table 3-2) and wet sludge is assumed to be 95% water
by weight, a negligible amount (approximately 1.2 kg) of 1,1,2,2-tetra-
chloroethane is discharged in sludge.
3-7
-------
The quantity of 1,1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane released to the atmosphere
*ay ?e estimated by difference from the above calculations (influent
loading-erf luent and sludge loading), given the following assumptions:
(1) the solvent recycled within the activated sludge process will even-
d; (2)
nd m 1 ; I6 S°1Vent blol°8^11y deded is negligibe
and (3) 1,1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane is lost to the atmosphere by mechanical
"ripping, or aeration Thus, an estimated 41 kkg of 1,1, 2, 2-tetrachloro-
ethane is released to the atmosphere from POTWs.
How well existing data represent the actual situation in POTWs
nationwide is still open to some question. Although one study that
?o^!x " an information s°urce for this section and Table 3-2 (EPA
1980b) reported 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in POTW influent, a second
report (EPA 1980a) did not find the solvent in 40 POTW samples? It
can be noted from the data in Table 3-1 that most of the values are
at or below detection limits, with only three positive data
nfin'CJ\ Fufhemo"> Afferent totals for influent (37 kkg) , effluent
(18 ..kg) and atmospheric emissioas (19 kkg) of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
result if median values are used in the calculations instead of simple
mean values. In light of these factors, tihe total amount of 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane in POTWs could be considerably lower than that esti-
mated above.
3-5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Existing information on 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane releases to the
environment from production, use and disposal is presented in tabular
format in Figure 3-1. It is apparent that the only direct use of the
compound, as a specialty solvent, mostly results in atmospheric emissions
due to the nature of the operations involved (see Section 3.3.2). This
use is spread over a number of operations and facilities, so that
environmental releases are likely to be widely dispersed.
The only other major sources of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in the
environment are indirect: in tars and "heavy ends" from vinyl chloride
monomer production, in residues from 1,1,1-trichloroe thane manufacture
as air emissions from recycle of by-products or reactants in manufacture
of both vinyl cnlonde monomer and 1,1,1-trichloroetha.ne, and from POTWs
Improper management of waste disposal and storage can also result in air'
emissions and groundwater contamination, although relatively small amounts
or 1,1,2,2-tetrachlorethane are involved (see Section 3-3.2).
3-8
-------
REFERENCES
, Dacember_
ot
D. (Cordon Chemical Co.) Person,! Co™unicatt
ton, »ovemoer,
Air Pollution o
chloride m.nufscture bv the
«50/3-73-006l;1975.
C°St Stud-v
Indu.try. vol. 8: vinvl
process. Washington, DC: EPA
Environmental Protect
ion
-int SoUrce Cat.
,„
Environmental Protection Agency 1979C r
Relevant to Section 8002(g) of R ?TTr'
SW-802; October, 1979. R'C.R.A. of
Sludge Study
Washington, DC: EPA
Environmental Protection Agency 197P* =• • •
^e Synthetic Organic Chemicals ^£7?!% Eais^°ns Control Options for
DC: EPA Contract 68-02-2577*1979 "nufaCturin8 Industry. Washington,
Neptune, Analytical Prog
Guidelines Division.
fr°°
°f
3-9
-------
Environmental Protection Agency, 1980b. Fate of Priority Pollutants
in Publicly Owned Treatment Works, Interim Report. Washington DC-
EPA 4AO/1-SO/301;1980.
Environmental Protection Agency, j980c. Chlorinated hydrocarbon
manufacture: an overview. Washington, DC: EPA Contract 68-02-2567-
1980.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1980d. Contractor's Engineering
Report for the Development of Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Standards for the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Point Source Category.
Washington, DC: EPA 440/1-80/084«-i; 1980.
Environmental Protection Agency, I980e. Treatability Manual, Vol. I,
Treatability Data. Washington, DC: EPA 600/8-80-042a;1980.
Environmental Protection Agency, l_980f. Environmental Assessment Data
System. Research Triangle Park, NC: National Computing Center;
November, 1980.
Fishburn, Maj. G. (Occupational and Environmental Health Lab., Brooks
Air Force Base, Texas.) Personal Communication. June, 1980.
Gruber, G.I. 1976. Assessment of Industrial Hazardous Waste
Practices, Organic Chemicals, Pesticides and Explosives Industries.
Rep. No. 25666-6010-TU-OO. TRW, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Harris, M. (Dept of Commerce) Personal Communication. December, 1980.
Jensen, S.; Lange, R.; Parlmert, K.; Renberg, L.; On the chemistry of
EDC-tar and its biological significance in the sea. Proceedings of
the Royal Society of London, Series B. 189;333-346;1975.
Johnson, T.R. (Hooker Chemical Co. Taft, LA.) Personal Cummunication.
December 15, 1978. From: Versar, 1979: Production and Use of
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane.
Kew, G. U.S. EPA Personal Communication. November, 1980.
Lo, Teh (Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc.) Personal Communication. May 1980.
Lollar, R. (University of Cincinnati, Tanning Research Dept.) Personal
Communication. September, 1980.
McPherson, R.W.; Starks, C.M.; Fryar, G.J., Vinyl chloride monomer...
what you should know. Hydrocarbon Process. 3 :75-88;1979 .
3-10
-------
Conjunction,
Board of
oges0 «-c..
(In) Manageroenc of Uncontrolled HaL^u 8r°Und "ater «««»«nt
Conference, October 1980 H!« I S"' *"• Sites' "A National
Institute, 'silver spring MDd°US Materials ^"rol Research
reconnaissance surv for
Water Works A..oci.tion,
Printing Office;i980
Hati°nal
°f
c organic cne.icals,
, DC: U.S. Government
3-11
-------
4-° FAT£ AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE ENVISOMMFVT
4.1 INTRODUCTION
rao
effluent watswaseate fropo™°S " Ct>mPOimd lD
environmental ,;„ £ ™ ««» '' **" *"
Che
4-2 MONITORING DATA
aqueous environment. Althou C °r°ethane in the
distributions of la
of telut
and (l.h tissue. Ihrte^nS ' """'' "'" "at"s'
an . tissue. hen, discus ' ' se
in PubUshed literature So»sLpngof 1 HTM.^" dO=me
various types of water and in the atmosphere <2<2-C*"i"i>1°™^*'>*
are
Roughly 90% of these rLdL^^f/r? J*1 ttl '
ethane were present at all if «ao =,,- i , -^ J-,-1-,^,2-tetrachloro-
the analytical method used! Detect onTi t " '^ deteCti°n Umit °f
conjunction with these analyses were 5 u^/T .Tf C°mm°«1? cited in
40 "unremarked" (above detection lim, t- ?8/1 and 10 U§/;L-) Sixteen of the
indicated levels less rh*n II i ° amoienc water observations
unremarked oS^S^Sd a ^& e^ls ab^ l^6 ^^Jf 24
cance of 1.7 pg/1 is discussed in Section sTl^ ^ (The S±Snifi-
remaining 24 clearly are ac«,n^ ^ ^ectl°n 5.1.1.) However, 13 of the
manufacturing facUity which^ S S±Ugle large Pesticide
and the EPA regional offS ?Si T " Cl°Se SCruti^ of the state
200-fold decrease over earner c^ncen0? ?•"" °bservations indicate a
When the complete STORE? JnVr COncentrations ^ around 5 ug/1.)
tions in amb^e^t waters four'ar" f'oundT t" ^ ^^ nine ob— a-
cific industries, while'three JSuS^ss tSLI*0^?'"' With °ther S?e-
lower Hudson River without reference to a n^- ^^ &™ reP°"ed for the
two observations are reporte for the OhioP"tlcuiar/ndustry. The final
again without referenced particular industrL" '" W
4-1
-------
TAIll.li 4-1. i'EKCKNTAUK DISTRIBUTION OF UNKKMAKKEI) AND ItEMAKKliU AMBIENT
CONCENTRATIONS OF 1. 1. 2 , 2-TETKACIH.OKOtTIIANt: IN STORET. 1980
Remarked data" (Z at i:ouc. )
Major
River Uasln
Norllicatit
NorLli All anil,:
Soitllicayt
Tuiuitisuue Kivur
Ohio River
Lake Erie
Upper Mississippi
Missouri River
Lower Mississippi
Colorado River
Western Gulf
I'atlfic Nortliuest
California
(;reac lias in
Puerto Rico
UNITED STATES
No.
Ohsuj^MUons. .__!!_ _L.JzlO__10.JziOO UMLJrlOOOL__ll«Op_JilJi/l
11 732 27
40
100
100
100
38
50
33
40
31
28
50
33
20
54
25
40
15
dl
14
4
li
HU
13
1
1
400
** - *-
81
7
52
100
5
29
100
17
38
100
21
1.1-10 10.1-100 100.1-1000 -man u^/t
17
93
100
48
38 62
64 30
21 50
100
83
62
100
71 8
Source: U.S. liHA STOKliT (November 12, 1980).
-------
1977. However, another
' Manha"an) in December
i. "~ *•" "^vciaj. sOUCflPTn c*-^n-~_ ,. ~ WeiJ.
base. ln addition, tetrachloroettaL » ' accordln8 to the STORET «,tta
tissue samples at 117 various sites in JLT detected in sediment or fish
western states. 6S in New Jersey, and some southern and
4-2.2 Other Surveys
4.2.2.1 Wastewater
ou io from che
the summer of 1978 did not contain qulntif?ab 5 ^ T^' SampleS taken in
chloroethane at any treatment s tage (pr imf ^ s ?S °f ^l^, 2-tetra-
a method with a detection limit of 10 ug/i^' Secondary> °r final), using
4-2.2.2 Atmosphere
reported concentration was abou
The
from .
as reported by Pelli22ari (1978)
collected in 24 locations
evident that 1,1
Phere, although
at vari°us locations
°f ^ ^^
concentrations. It is
detected ^ the^atmos-
site in New"j"ers """" w<=te £ouna in the vicinity of
able levels at the'samriocItiontPlaSfl^T " °ther times sho^d undetect-
levels were infrequent. C3C1Ons' a f»dmg suggesting that the higher
4-2.2.3 Groundwater
.
aethods with a detection limit of 0 3
,; ug/1>
' USl"8 anal>'"«l
4-3
-------
TABLE 4-2. LEVELS OF 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE DETECTED IN
AMBIENT AIR OF SEVERAL U.S. REGIONS
Location
Kin-Buc Disposal
Site, Edison, NJ
Cities in Northern
NJ
Tulsa, OK
Houston, TX area
Kanawha Valley, WV
Front Royal, VA
South Charleston, WV
Birmingham, AL
Baton Rouge, LA area
Upland, CA
Magna, UT
Grand Canyon, AZ
Iberville Parish, LA
(near industrial
complex)
Detection Limits Detection Frequency
20-54
20-50
6-42
6-105
<6-31
6-40
6-139
6-113
6-58
6-62
6-46
6-156
3/29
1/6
0/7
2/32
0/29
0/28
0/6
0/6
2/23
0/10
0/6
0/8
5/11
Levels Found
(ng/m3)
1389; 15,000;
22,285
2872
19, 33
trace, 71
52-1573
Source: Pellizzari (1978).
4-4
-------
-Department of Enviro
of ^ 1'1'2'2— rachloro-
(excluding Long Isla) SampleS fr0m 39 wells in New York
Thus, limited evidence suggests that 1 i •> -> +
is not commonly found in grounder 1»1»2.2-tetrachloroechaae
4'3 ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND
Product S'^™01110"'?11"1' ^ ««^«ur.d bv one
majority of iss^ons ^r^th^ir* seS:1ChentfaPP^nCftiOnS' ' The
the sources of 1 1 2 2-tetrarhi« *l Chapter 3.0). Since 1978,
result of its use as a solvent ah dJr" C° ** envi"^ent are a
the production of vinyl chloride tL °CC""ei?Ce as a Byproduct in
Releases from these inadverten^ ^ sources ar"b ^^^^^""hane.
small. sources are believed to be relatively
Some basic chemical property data for i i 9 •>
summarized below: 7 or 1'1'2'2-tetrachloroethane are
.
Boiling Point: 146 20Q
Solubility in Water: 2900 mg/1
Vapor Pressure at 25°C 6.3 mm Hg
Log octanol/water
partition coefficient 2.56
Source: Weast (1972), Versar, Inc. (1979b)
•
a half-life of 56 minutes in a well-stirr!/ rachl°r°ethane has
t.
that it nutv b 1« n ItlV""011 Coeffl=lOT^ ^ 2.56 suggests
it t. 1W,' based oi t£
factor) of 5 (u.
4-5
-------
appears to be slow relative to volatilization. Tabak et al (1980)
tound up to 29% degradation of 5 mg/1 after one week in~an~~acclimated
microbial population.
The compound 1,1,1-trichloroethane has a reported half-life due to
photo-oxidation with hydroxyl radicals of a few years in the troposphere,
One might infer comparable persistence for 1,1,2,2-cetrachloroethane.
Most of the released 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane will probably reach the
stratosphere, where it can be dissociated, as is expected to occur with
1,1,1-trichloroethane (McConneLl and Schiff 1978).
4-6
-------
REFERENCES
poUu-
Second Year Interim Report Gran
NC: Environmental ScJencei ReaSr
Protection Agency; 198? Resear
U.S. Environmental Protection (u.S
Division, ' -
chemicals- Draft
T K Resea"h Triangle Park,
Laboratory, U.S. Environmental
Washington, DC: Office of Wat
nental Protection Agency,- 19SOb!
T« ""• EpA-WO/5-80-029.
and Standards, U.S. Eaviron-
. OH:
pollutants. I. Report
and Data Suppor£ Di«sion, U.S.
f probable
of 129 prlority
4-7
-------
Young, D.R. Priority pollutant:; in municipal wastewaters. Annual
Report Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project- 1978
pp. 103-112.
4-8
-------
AND EXPOSURP~m™^Tc
5.1 HUMAN TOXICITV
5'1'1 ^^-^^^
rof2eroorhe
health fro, potential carcinogLi ^ effect s^?™ Pr°tection of
chloroethane through ingestlofSf water and f ^f^ C° ^
quality criterion is * ±C Or8anl«"
an
ane trough ingestlof water and ° '-tetra-
quality criterion is based on the rlsuLf f * ±C Or8anl«"- The water
tion of hepatocellular carcinoma i ^ male B6°C3n "?dy demonst"ting induc.
of not more than 1.7 us/1 of 1 1 22^! u^ mice' A concentration
culated (via a Unearned multis'ta'i'^:"06^^ ** ^ is "
m°de
neared multista s «'
time cancer risk below 1Q-5, S m°del) to kee? any additional life-
5-1.2 Animal Studies
week by gavaSe for 78 weeks
carcino^in^pj^1;^,2^ -s found to be a liver
Time-weighted average doses of Wl^t Rational Cancer Institute 1978)
for 78 weeks, followed b? a 12-week ois*' ^ ^ ^^^ by gavage^
highly significant increLe in the incid °J PSri°d' result^ in a
90%, 26%, and 6% for high, lo^ dose and v^f hepatocellul« carcinoma:
tivelv, and 91%, 63%, aJd 0% for high Lw d * 'l™01 males« resPec~
females, respectively. g ' °W dose' and vehicle control
-
any of the treatment groups (Nation^ r r incidence of tumors in
Siven 1.1.2.2-tetr.chlownh£:"rS™CSvinrltUt* 1978)< RatS ™™
at time-weighted average doses of 62 or 108 ^ P6r W6ek for 78 we^
»g/kg for females. Poor survival neces.J?ft2 § , m3leS and 43 or 76
at week 33. From this time to completion !f ^ * ^ ±U dosin§ re§imen
cyclically administered with a patter o? f St^7' d°Sages were
four weeks (5 days/week) of treatment of ^T,6"^66 W6Sk followed ^
cellular carcinomas and one neoplastic li^r 7} ^di"ted. Two hepato
Osborne-Mendel rats) were noted in ni^dU ^f (rar6 tUm°rs in ^
strain of rat has shown a l.cl of s!2£Jv£ "? , Historically , this
c SeSiVi
wn a
cellular carcinomas by oral
5-1
-------
• 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroetnane is mutagenic in two bacterial
systems and in a yeast.
Positive, dose-related mutagenic effects have been reported for
Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 1530 and TA 1535, but not TA 1533
exposed to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; i.e., it induces mutations of'
the base substitution type only (Brem et al. 1974). Positive findings
have also been observed in DNA-polymerase-deficient Escherichia coll
(pol A+/pol A") and for the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Roslnkr~antz
1977, Brem _et al. 1974).
• 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is embryotoxic and teratogenic in
mice exposed to 300-400 mg/kg/day during organogenesis.
_ Administration of 300-400 mg/kg/day of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
during organogenesis produced embryotoxic effects and some malformations
(exencephaly, cleft palate, anophthalmia) in DBA and AB-Jena strain mice
Effects were related to dose and period of treatment (Schmidt 1976).
• Subchronic exposure to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane produces liver
and/or kidney pathology in several species of animals. The
lowest reported effect level for liver degeneration is 100 mg/m3
in air, 4 hours per day for 11 months for rabbits.
Rats exposed to 1.94 ppm (13.3 mg/m3) of 1,1,2,2-eetrachloroethane
in air, 4 hours per day for up to 265 days had fatty livers, an increased
number of white blood cells and elevated pituitary adrenocorticotropic
hormone levels (Deguchi 1972). Rabbits inhaling 14.6 ppm (100 mg/m3)
4 hours per day for 11 months exhibited liver and kidney degeneration'
(Navrotskig et al. 1971) while marked vacuolation of the liver was seen
in monkeys inhaling 1000 ppm (6870 mg/m3) 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane,
2 hours per day for 190 days (Horiguchi et al. 1962).
5.1.3 Human Data
Exposure to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is capable of producing
fsr?r?V??ai fn? *yStemic effectji in man' A si"gle deep inhalation of
F o7 SJ * 1.1^2,2-tetrachloroethane vapor resulted in the retention
of 94-97/S of the inhaled dose (Morgan et al. 1970, 1972), suggesting
extensive absorption of this compound by man. Numerous fatalities have
been recorded subsequent to its irigestion, inhalation, or cutaneous
absorption (IARC 1979).
Regardless of the route of exposure, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is
predominantly a central nervous system depressant and a liver and/or
kidney toxicant. Other -effects associated with human exposure to
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane include damage to blood-forming systems
pulmonary irritation, and edema and dermatologic effects (Parker et al
1979, Hamilton and Hardie 1974, Browning 1953). The lowest repor7e"d~'
human lethal doses by ingestion and inhalation are 50 mg/kg and 1000 mg/
OH/30 mm., respectively (RTECS 1978).
5-2
-------
5.2 HUMAN EXPOSURE
5.2.1 Introduction
As is evident from Chapters 3.0 and 4.0, very little information
is available regarding the presence of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in
environmental media. Consequently it is difficult to estimate human
exposure. The fact that this chemical is no longer produced suggests
that exposure will not be widespread.
5.2.2 Ingestion
5.2.2.1 Drinking Water
The compound 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has been rarely detected
in drinking water. The NOMS survey fU.S. EPA 1978) detected
this chemical in some cases, but did not quantify it. The monitoring
data discussed in Chapter 4.0 indicate that levels in surface water are
generally less than the detection limit.
A very few cases of groundwater contamination have been reported.
Chapter 3.0 described a case with levels up to 1600 yg/1 in groundwater
presumably resulting from past disposal practices. In addition, Kim
and Stone (1979), in a characterization of the organic chemical water
quality problems in New York State, reported sampling of groundwater
supplies for 112 organic chemical contaminants, including 1,1,2,2-tetra-
chloroethane. A total of 47 samples were collected from 39 wells outside
Long Island. The chemical 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was detected in one
sample from Putnam County, in which the total organic content was reported
to be 290 yg/1. Other contaminants found in this sample included phthalate
esters, benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. Thus
it is likely that 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was present at relatively low
levels.
In addition, as reported in Section 4.2.2.3, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
ethane was found in 2.1% of 1118 samples taken in New Jersey, with a
maximum of 2.7 pg/1. Thus it appears that this compound is rarely
detected in drinking water supplies.
5.2.2.2 Food
No information is available regarding the possible contamination of
tood witn 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. However, considering the low bio-
accumulation factor, the lack of detection of this compound in fish, and
extremely low levels in other environmental media, food is not expected
to be a significant source of human exposure.
5-3
-------
5.2.3 Innalation
Very sparse monitoring data are available for levels of 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane in air. Chapter 4.0 describes various locations that
were sampled. Measurable exposure may be occurring in the vicinity of
the Kin-Buc disposal site in New Jersey where 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
was found in air at levels up to 22 yg/m^. However, this level was
reported for the landfill site itself; the maximum level of actual popu-
lation exposure in the vicinity is probably no more than about 3 ug/m^
based on the one report for a n&arby town, or 60 yg/day. In addition,
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has occasionally been detected in the vicinity
of the organic chemical production facilities of Baton Rouge, LA, and
Houston, IX, generally at levels less than 0.1 yg/m3. If 24-hour expo-
sure were occurring at this level, the resultant intake would be about
2 pg/day. However, it should be pointed out that the data are extremely
limited, and the frequency of detection is quite low.
By wav of comparison, the OSHA exposure standard for this compound
is 35 ug/m3 (time-weighted average), while the NIOSH recommended expo-
sure standard is 7 pg/m3 (time-weighted average).
While the focus of this assessment is not primarily on occupational
exposure, at one time inhalation or dermal adsorption in the workplace
may have constituted the most significant route of human exposure in
the U.S. In 1978, NIOSH estimated that 11,000 people were exposed to
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in the workplace (NIOSH 1978). However,
this report was based on worker exposure surveys conducted between
1972 and 1974, while 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was still being pro-
duced in significant quantities for uses in several industries.
More recently, deliberate U.S. production has ceased, although the chem-
ical is still produced inadvertently in manufacturing vinyl chloride
monomer and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (Chapter 3.0). No information is
available on estimated manufacture of these other solvents but given
the recent concern over exposures to vinyl chloride monomer (also an
intermediate in 1,1,1-trichloroethane manufacture) and resulting pro-
tective measures, the current potential for occupational exposure to
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane should be very low.
5-4
-------
REFERENCES
(As
s:
Morgan, A.; et al. Thp ev^^Q<- • . ,
^~
, DC:
Navrotskig. V K • pr 3i
-
8:229;
-------
REFERENCES (continued)
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). Lewis, R.J.;
Talken, R.L., eds. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health Education and
Welfare. Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control. National Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and Health: 1978.
Schmidt, R. The embryotoxic and teratogenic effect of tetsachloroethane ~
experimental investigations (Germ.). Biol. Rundschau. 14:220-223- 1976
(As cited by IARC 1979)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) National Organics Monitoring
Survey (NOMS). Draft. Washington, DC: Office of Water Supply, U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency; 1978.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Ambient water quality
criteria. Criterion document — chlorinated ethanes. Washington, DC:'
Criteria and Standards Division, Office of Water Planning; and Standards
297-920; 1979, 111 p.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Ambient water quality
criteria for chlorinated ethanes. Report EPA-440/5-5-80-029. Washington,
DC: Criteria and Standards Division, Office of Water Regulations and
Standards, 1980.
5-6
-------
6>1 EJECTS ON AQUATIC BTOTJ
The laboratory toxicity data for
sented in Table 6-1.
for the"
•L>-L»A2-tetrachloroethane are pre-
of
that
vere t«o observations in the'ange 100 1 foJn
is still below the apparent threfhold n
biota. Two observations "er wS Jt/
appeared to represent temporar^ ^ situations
lap between exposure levels in water ind^ aPPSars C° be no over'
or chronically toxic to aquatic o«Inismf C°SCentrations that are acutely
q *
«--«l««t waters indicate
Z" a?ient wat-" there
(S6e Table 4~
C°
rep°rted> b^ th«ae
aPPSars C° be no
on
for chronic exposure
— showing effec£s
C° rePres^t a no-effect-level
6-1
-------
TABLE 6-1. TOXICITY OF 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE FOR
FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER BIOTA
Species
Freshwater:
Cladoceran
(Daphnia magna)
Fathead minnow
(Pimephales promelas)
Bluegill
(Lepomis macrochirus)
Alga
(Selenastrum
capricornutum)
Saltwater:
Test LC50/EC50 (yg/1) Reference
Mysid shrimp
(Mysidopsis bahia)
Sheepshead minnow
(Cyprinodon yariegatus)
Alga
(Skeletonema costatum)
48 hour (static) 9,320
96 hour 20,300
(flow-through)
chlorophyll _a
96 hour 136,000
cell numbers 146,000
96 hour
96 hour (static) 9,020
96 hour (static) 12,300
chlorophyll a_
96 hour 6,440
cell 6,230
96 hour
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1980)
96 hour (static) 21,300 U.S. EPA (1980)
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1978)
U.S. EPA (1978)
6-2
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REFERENCES
6-3
A)
water qualitv
', DC: Off7cTorwIter'R "T" N0% EPA-*40/5-80-029. '
Environmental Protection Agency; 1980 S 3nd Standards, U.S
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7.0 RISK CONSIDERATIONS
7-l RISK CONSIDERATIONS FOR HUMANS
The compound 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has been shown to be carcino
genic in mice, mutagenic in two bacteria and a yeast, and teratogenic
in mice (see Table 7-1).
Based on the evidence of animal carcinogenicity, EPA's Carcinogen
Assessment Group designated 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane as a suspected
human carcinogen. Subsequently, EPA's Office of Water Regulations and
Standards specified the ambient freshwater quality criterion for maximum
protection of human health as zero yg/1. The levels in water calculated
to result in incremental lifetime cancer risk of 10-5, 10-6,
and 10- , through ingestion of both water and contaminated aquatic
°'17 US/1' and °'°17 y§/1' respectivelv (U.S.
While any evidence of human exposure is of concern, there are verv
few data indicating significant exposure at the present time. Table 7-2
summarizes the available data on human exposure for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
ethane. Occasionally, this compound has been detected in groundwater
levels less than 10 yg/1. In addition, there are a few reports of levels
in amoient waters .exceeding 1.7 yg/l; the sources in these instances of
high ambient concentrations have been identified in virtuallv all cases
and do not appear to represent consistent releases. It is of note how-
ever, that the detection limits in many cases where this chemical was
analyzed for but not detected were greater than 1.7 yg/1. Consec- •-
these data suggest that the consumption of surface water could l-
significant route of exposure for the small subpopulation inge-
^frn^^ surface waters. However, the lack of detection of thi cal
in NOMS, at detection limits probably on the order of 0.01 yg/1 8ut -ests
M\t^ t,iB ChemiCal 1S being rem°Ved in traatnent, or is not present
higher levels in the drinking water supplies sampled.
Although 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has not been detected in drinking
water £er se, groundwater contamination may represent the greatest potential
found^r^M Vi^-tetracUoroeth**, as evidenced by'the one example
found (see Table 7-2). The volume of production of this chemical in 1977
was about 22,000 kkg, primarily used captively as an intermediate. Pro-
l^10^58! %" °£ *?* "78' "* Only ab°Ut 6° ^ Were imP°"ed ^
1980, primarily for solvent uses (Chapter 3.0). The extent of solvent
use in the past is unknown, but may have been somewhat greater than the
present use. In addition, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is present in vinjl
chloride monomer tars and heavy ends, as well as in solid waste from
1,1,1-trichloroethane manufacture. To the extent that these wastes are
or were disposed of in landfills, they represent a source of potential
groundwater contamination. f«i.en(.iaj.
7-1
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TABLE 7-1. El'TliCTS OF I , 1 . 2,2-Tl'TKACIILOROCTIIANK ON
LABORATORY ANIMALS AND HUMANS
Spec ins
Carcinogen I city female KbC'JKl mice
male H6C3F1 mice-
Mutagenicity
Dose
Response
Teratogenicity
l.lver ami kidney
pathology
Lethal doses
-Sjlljll'-IliLLL3. typhirnurium
strains TA 1530
and 1535
DNA-polymerase-def Jclent
Escheri cliia coli
cerevi.siae
DBA and AB-Jena strain
mice
rats
rabbits
humans
humans
203 mg/kg/day-78 weeks 9U incidence (hepato-cel h.lar
carcinoma)
101
0
203
101
0
300-400 mg/kg/day
during organogenesis
3
13 mg/m (air)-4 hrs/day
for up to 265 days
100 mg/mj 4 hrs/day for
1 I months
50 mg/kg
1000 nijj/m'J/30 min.
0
902:
26Z
mutations of base
tut ion type
positive
positive
exencephaly, cleft palate,
cinophthalmia
liver
pathology
lowest effect level for iivor
and kidney degeneration
lowest reported lethal doL,c
via ingestion
lowest reported lethal dotu-
via inhalation.
Source: See Chapter 5.0.
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TABLE 7-2. SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON HUMAN
EXPOSURE TO 1,1,2,2-TETRACIILOROKTHANE
tout
digestion - Drinking Water
(assumes 2l/day
consumption)
Ingest Ion - Food
Inhalation ~
(assumes 20 m /day
respiratory flow)
or Local km
NOMS
STORET - ambient
water
STORET - well water
New York State -
well water
New Jersey - ground
water
N. Muskegon, Ml-OIl/
Story Chemical site
STORET - fish tissue
Kin-buc Disposal site,
Edison, NJ
Baton Rouge, LA
Houston, TX
(production facilities
for other organic
chemicals)
_Lcv>i_la Reported
detected in an im.sp.-c i fled number
of cases, but not quantified
40 observations unremarked data,
382
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"
Dheri; i t f ?*,* 5hf e arS a fSW locations In the U.S. where atmos
pherxc levels of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane may be detected, suggesting
limited exposure via inhalation. ouSoc;,t.j.ng
7.2 RISK CONSIDERATIONS FOR AQUATIC BIOTA
oh.. T,6 ^^f JT1 ^ WhlCh elffeCCS °n aquatic organisms have been
observed in the laboratory is 2400 yg/1 for chronic effects. The lim
tio" "S of inSUSflSt S1" amb:lent l£VelS a" genera11^ below the d
rino ^:f \ US/u" ^ obsei'vati^s of greater than 1000 pg/1 were
reported, however; these appeared to represent temporary situations Thus
not'aooLr r ^ limited d"a available« 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroe hane does
not appear to represent a material risk to aquatic biota
7-4
-------
REFERENCE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Ambient water quality
criteria for chlorinated ethanes. Report No. EPA-440/5-80-029. Washington,
DC: Office of Water Regulations and Standards, U.S. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency; 1980.
7-5
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