EPA-560/8-76-002
SUMMARY OF EARLY WARNING STUDIES
OF SPECIFIC CHEMICALS DURING
FY 75 AND FY 76
JULY 1976
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
WASHINGTON, D,C,
TAN
204
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EPA-560/8-76-002
SUMMARY OF EARLY WARNING STUDIES OF
SPECIFIC CHEMICALS DURING FY 75 AND FY 76
Prepared by
Office of Toxic Substances
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
July 1976
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The attached chart summarizes the early warning
screening activities for specific chemicals which
were initiated during FY 75 and FY 76 by the Early
Warning Branch, Office of Toxic Substances. These
substances listed alphabetically, were identified
and selected for preliminary in-house study essen-
tially to determine the need and priority of the
substance for a more in-depth examination, such as
a contractor prepared subject investigation report.
Given on the chart are the initial reasons for
early warning study, the Early Warning Branch
activities to date and initial findings, and the
further Early Warning Branch activities anticipated
for each substance. Further information can be
obtained by contacting Dr. Farley Fisher or Frank
Letkiewicz of the Early Warning Branch, Office of
Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency.
This screening activity represents a major, but
not the sole, source of candidates for the hazard
assessment activity of the Early Waring Branch.
A list of compounds and classes for which reviews
have been or are being prepared in conjunction
with the hazard assessment activity is presented
in the Appendix.
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Substance
1) Acrylamides
2) Aluminum compounds
3) Arsenic compounds
4) Butadiene
5) Butylated hydroxyto-
luene (BUT)
Sumnary of Early Warning Studies of Specific Chemicals During FY 75 and FY 76
Early Warning Activity to Date
and Initial Findings
Reason for Study
Information presented at
NIEHS Conference on Public
Health Implication of Com-
ponents of Plastic Manufac-
ture 6/29-31/74.
High volume material.
Reported cardnogenicity
in occupationally exposed
individuals.
Reported correlation between
styrene/butadiene operations
and leukemia.
Information presented at
NIEHS Conference on Public
Health Implication of Com-
ponents of Plastic Manu-
facture 6/29-31/74.
Literature search conducted; Early
Warning evaluation recommended an
in-depth study. Draft-final of con-
tractor prepared report has been
reviewed and final is in preparation.
Polyacrylamide, used widely for water
treatment, contains residual acryla-
mide monomers which could enter water
systems. Most significant effect of
acrylamide is Its peripheral neuro-
toxicity; though It appears to degrade
rapidly 1n the environment, there is
concern for local incidents of acryla-
mide contamination occuring.
Literature search conducted. Pri-
mary health hazard is in aluminum
powder industry; high volumes of alu-
minum salts enter water systems with
apparently little known effect. Aquat-
ic effects should be examined more
closely, however.
Literature search conducted. Data,
though equivocal, tend to support
carcinogenicity of arsenic compounds.
Literature search conducted; informa-
tion summary prepared by contractor
(NTIS Report No. PB 253-982).
Literature search conducted. Used
in plastics as an antloxidant; used
widely as food additive with no known
adverse effects; environmental expo-
sure unknown, but human exposure from
plastics is insignificant compared to
food consumption exposure.
Further Early Warning Activity Anticipated
Under consideration. (Special Projects
Branch is currently initiating further
study of acrylamides to focus on envlr-
ronmental sources.)
Under consideration.
None. (Arsenic is now under study by the
Special Chemicals Branch).
Under consideration.
No further action recommended.
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Substance
Summary of Early Warning Studies of Specific Chemicals During FY 76 and FY 76 (cpnt_._j
Early Warning Activity to Date
Reason for Study and Initial Findings
Further Early Warning Activity Anticipated
6) Butyl phenyl phenol
Sodium sulfonate
(Areskap)
7) Carbon black
8) Chloroform
9) Chromium
10) Ethoxylated
alkylphenols
Japanese refusal to
import.
Large volume material;
may have carcinogenic
substances adsorbed to
it.
Suspected carcinogen
identified In drinking
water.
Reported carcinogenidty
of chromium dye; expressed
concern of Japanese govern-
ment over quantities of
chromium-containing wastes
left by Occupational Forces
in World War II.
Large volume materials
with environmental
release.
Information gathered Indicated the
problem was one of paperwork rather
than the hazard potential of the
material; recommended no further
action.
Literature search conducted. Pri-
mary hazard appears to be related
to carcinogenic polynuclear aromatics
adsorbed onto carbon black during its
production. Risk to humans difficult
to assess at present.
Early Warning Branch represented on
EPA chloroform task force.
Currently updating available informa-
tion on chromium.
Literature search conducted. Cer-
tain types show significant toxic
effects and/or low biodegradation;
however, use of these is being elim-
inated by producers. Unique associa-
of toxlclty with certain chain lengths.
None.
Unknown.
Chloroform is now under study by other
agencies and EPA offices. EHB may review
available data, including new carcinogenidty
data and undertake a more detailed analysis
of environmental exposure.
Report to be prepared by contractor.
Open file to be maintained on production.
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Summary of Early Warning Studies of Specific Chemicals During FY 75 and FY 76 (cont.]
Substance
Reason for Study
Early Warning Activity to Date
and Initial Findings
Further Early Warning Activity Anticipated
11) Hexamethylphosphora-
mide (HMPA)
Reported carcinogenicity.
12) Lithium compounds
13) 2-Mercaptobenzo-
thiazole
Known effects on nervous
system; "suggested" addi-
tive to drinking water.
Major chemical in rubber
manufacture.
H) Molybdenum
Past Incident of moly-
bdenum toxicity in live-
stock.
Information gathered indicated that
HMPA was an unlikely significant
environmental contaminant. Recent
data, however, show some small losses
to the environment in certain Indus-
trial effluents and from stored waste
material.
Literature search conducted. Definite
effects on nervous system, both benefi-
flcial and deleterious. Environmental
contamination at levels which could
affect humans does not appear to be
likely.
Literature search conducted; Early Warn-
ing evaluation recommended an in-depth
study. Contractor prepared report
available (EPA Report No. 560/2-76-006).
Used widely as a rubber vulcanizing agent.
Produces allergic dermatitis in man, has
central nervous system activity, and Inhib-
its certain enzymes. Environmental levels
unknown but widespread low-level conta-
mination possible through leaching from
tires and tire dust.
Attended Symposium on Molybdenum in the
Environment, June 1975; judged not a
priority substance for EWB. Molybdenum
effects in livestock are now well recog-
nized and efforts to control its occu-
rence have been undertaken; widespread
molybdenum contamination unlikely,
though some concern remains for possible
future use of molybdenum catalysts 1n
synthetic fuel production.
Additional information being prepared at
request of Region III Toxic Substances
Coordinator.
Under consideration.
Further action subject to EWB staff review
of final report.
Under consideration.
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Sumnary of Early Warning Studies of Specific Chemicals During FY 75 and FY 76 (cont.)
Substance
Reason for Study
Early Warning Activity to Date
and Initial Findings
Further Early Warning Activity Anticipated
15) Phenylene d1- and .
triamines
16) Polybrominated
biphenyls (PBB's)
17) Triazine compounds
18) Triazoles, non-fused
Information presented at
NIEHS Conference on Public
Health Implications of Com-
ponents of Plastic Manufac-
ture 6/29-31/74.
Inadvertently fed to live-
stock in Michigan in mid-
1974.
Information presented at
NIEHS Conference on Public
Health Implications of
Components of Plastic Manu-
facture 6/29-31/74.
Information presented at
NIEHS Conference on Public
Health Implications of Com-
ponents of Plastic Manufac-
ture 6/29-31/74.
Literature search conducted. Used in
in plastics and rubber as antioxidant;
environmental exposure unknown; related
compounds used in hair colorants show
allergic and irritative properties;
some evidence of mutagenldty 1n bacterial
studies.
Literature search conducted; information
indicated this to be an accident of pos-
sible but unlikely recurrence. Suttroary
Characterization of Chemicals of Concern
prepared.
Literature search conducted. Variety of
uses, mostly as herbicides; some deri-
vatives used in textiles, particularly
cotten, as chemical finishing agents;
environmental exposure unknown; all
triazines probably possess some phyto-
toxic activity; one derivative appears
to be a skin tumor initiator, but it
is not carcinogenic in itself.
Literature search conducted. Cer-
tain triazole derivatives are added
to plastics as light stabilizers;
environmental exposure unknown; re-
lated triazoles are used as herbi-
cides, but phytotoxiclty of those
used in plastics unknown; one simple
triazole derivative 1s teratogenlc
to chicken embryo and also exhibits
thyroid-Inhibiting effect in rats.
Under consideration.
None. (Repercussions of the 1974 Incident
are still a major concern; currently being
handled by the Special Chemicals Branch).
Under consideration.
Under consideration.
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Sunitary of Early Warning Studies of Specific Chemicals During FY 75 and FY 76 (cont.j
Substance
Reason for Study
Early Warning Activity to Date
and Initial Findings
Further Early Warning Activity Anticipated
19) Trlfluoroethanol
20) Vinyl bromide
21) Vinyl fluoride
22) Vinylldene bromide
23) Vinylidene fluoride.
Proposed as working fluid
in Ranklne Engine.
Used in special fire-
resistant polymers.
Used in special fire-
resistant polymers.
Possible use in special
fire-resistant polymers.
Use in special fire-
resistant polymers.
Literature search conducted. Trl-
fluoroethanol did not meet require-
ments for Ranklne Engine use. Moder-
ately toxic and probably persistent in
the environment.
Literature search conducted; abstracts
not yet reviewed.
Literature search conducted; abstracts
not yet reviewed.
Literature search conducted; abstracts
not yet reviewed.
Literature search conducted; abstracts
not yet reviewed.
No further action anticipated unless new
uses are developed.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Unknown.
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APPENDIX
Acrylamides
Antimony
Aromatic Nitro Compounds
Aryl Phosphates
Asbestos
Asphalts and Tars
Azo Compounds
Benzenedi carboxylates
Benzotriazoles
Boron
Brominated Hydrocarbons
Chlorinated Naphthalenes
Chlorinated Paraffins
Chlorophenols
Chromium
Ethylene Dibromide
Ethylenedi ami netetraaceti c
Acid
Fluorocarbons
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde Resins
Haloalkyl Phosphates
Haloethers
Halogenated Benzenes
Hexachlorobenzene
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB251438
Report in preparation
Report in preparation
NTIS number not yet available
Report in preparation
NTIS number not yet available
Report in preparation
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245984
NTIS number not yet available
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB248834
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB248634
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB238074
Report in preparation
NTIS number not yet available
NTIS number not yet available
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB246419
Report in preparation
NTIS number not yet available
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB246356
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB243641
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Higher Benzenepolycar-
boxylates
Hydrazine
Indium
Exchange Resins
Ketonic Solvents
Mercaptobenzothiazole
Methyl Hal ides
Nickel
o-Ni trochl orobenzene
Optical Brighteners
Selenium
Si li cones
Tetrachloroethylene
Tin
Titanium Dioxide
1,1,1 -Tri chl oroethane
Vanadium
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB248835
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245985
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB243910
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB252970
NTIS number not yet available
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245986
NTIS number not yet available
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB243910
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245987
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB247778
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB243910
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245988
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB242293
Report in preparation
Available from NTIS; accession
number PB245989
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