EPA 560/6-77-030
MULTIMEDIA LEVELS
METHYLCHLOROFORM
SEPTEMBER 1977
(J.S.ENVRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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EPA 560/6-77-030
MULTIMEDIA LEVELS
METHYLCHLOROFORM
September 1977
BATTELLE
Columbus Laboratories
505 King Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Vincent J. DeCarlo
Project Officer
Contract No. 68-01-1983
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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NOTICE
This report has been reviewed by the Office of
Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency, and
approved for publication. Approval does not signify
that the contents necessarily reflect the views and
policies of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mention of tradenames or commercial products is for
purposes of clarity only and does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
ii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION 1-1
2. OCCURRENCE OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ENVIRONMENT 2-1
Methylchloroform in the Atmosphere 2-1
Methylchloroform in Soil and Sediment 2-6
Methylchloroform in Surface Waters 2-6
Methylchloroform in Drinking Water 2-9
Methylchloroform Near Industrial Sites—
Multimedia Levels 2-9
3. TRANSFORMATIONS OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ENVIRONMENT 3-1
4. OCCURRENCE OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN FOOD 4-1
5. EXPOSURE AND BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM
IN MAN 5-1
Exposure 5-1
Biological Accumulation 5-2
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY 6-1
FIGURES
Number Page
2.1 Industrialized areas where surface water was sampled. . . . 2-7
2.2 Sampling locations at Dow Chemical Plant A, Freeport,
Texas—methylchloroform production site 2-11
2.3 Sampling locations at Vulcan Materials Company, Geismar,
Louisiana—methylchloroform production site 2-13
2.4 Sampling locations at Ethyl Corporation, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana—methylchloroform production site 2-15
iii
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FIGURES (Continued)
Number Page
2.5 Sampling locations at PPG Industries, Lake Charles,
Louisiana—methylchloroform production site 2-17
2.6 Sampling locations at Boeing Company, Auburn, Washington—
methylchloroform user site 2-19
2.7 Sampling locations at St. Francis National Forest,
Helena, Arkansas—background site 2-21
3.1 Transformations of methylchloroform 3-3
3.2 Simulated sea level irradiation of methylchloroform .... 3-4
3.3 High altitude photoreaction of methylchloroform 3-5
TABLES
2.1 Maximum and Minimum Levels of Methylchloroform in the
Atmosphere at Various Locations in the United States. . . 2-2
2.2 Typical Levels of Methylchloroform in the Atmosphere. . . . 2-3
2.3 Miscellaneous Monitoring Data for Methylchloroform in the
Atmosphere 2-4
2.4 Methylchloroform Concentration in Surface Water Samples
Taken by the Institute for Environmental Studies 2-8
2.5 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at Dow Chemical Plant A (Methylchloroform
Producer 2-10
2.6 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at Vulcan Materials Company (Methylchloroform
Producer) 2-12
2.7 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at Ethyl Corporation (Methylchloroform Producer) 2-14
2.8 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at PPG Industries (Methylchloroform Produder). . 2-16
2.9 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at Boeing Company (Methylchloroform User).... 2-18
iv
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TABLES (Continued)
Number Page
2.10 Concentration of Methylchloroform in Air, Water, Soil, and
Sediment at St. Francis National Forest (Background). . . 2-20
3.1 Transformations of Methylchloroform in the Environment. . . 3-2
3.2 Evaporation of Methylchloroform under Various Conditions. . 3-6
4.1 Methylchloroform in Foodstuffs 4-1
5.1 Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Marine Organisms 5-3
v and vi
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report discusses environmental levels of methylchloroform, based
on a review of the literature and other information sources.
The concentrations of methylchloroform in the atmosphere of the U.S.
range from about 0.1 yg/m3 (20 ppt) in remote areas to over 500 yg/m3
(100 ppb) in some areas near where the substance is manufactured or used.
The concentration drops off rapidly as one moves away from a source
facility.
Surface water concentrations of methylchloroform range from somewhat
less than 1 ppb to several hundred ppb in the vicinity of methylchloroform
manufacturers. The highest measurement reported (3 ppm) was made"in a
roadside ditch near a producer site.
Methylchloroform has been detected but not quantified in U.S. drinking
water except in one case when approximately 10 ppb was reported.
Soil and sediment concentrations of methylchloroform appear to be no
higher near manufacturers and users than in rural areas, though the data
are very limited. The levels are on the order of fractions of a ppb.
Methylchloroform is a saturated chlorinated hydrocarbon which is
relatively stable in the atmosphere. However, the molecule is susceptible
to hydrolysis or dehydrohalogenation and reacts with water relatively rapidly
and is thus degraded in soil and water.
There are very few data on the presence of methylchloroform in food
raised and sold in the U.S. However, data from the United Kingdom suggest
that methylchloroform is found on the order of parts per billion in some
common foodstuffs.
There is little evidence to judge whether methylchloroform accumulates
in living organisms. Limited data on levels in marine organisms show levels
on the order of a few parts per billion.
vii
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1. INTRODUCTION
Methylchloroform (MC) is one of the chemicals whose health and
ecological effects, environmental behavior, and technologic and economic
aspects are important to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The
literature has been searched in an effort to determine the environmental
levels of methylchloroform, the behavior of methylchloroform in the
environment, and the ways in which methylchloroform may come in contact
with man.
The literature has been examined using the following search strategy.
An initial computer search of the following data bases was conducted:
• National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
• Smithsonian Science Information Exchange (SCD-SSIE)
•, Engineering Index
• Pollution Abstracts
• TOXLINE
• MEDLARS (National Library .of Medicine's National
Interactive Retrieval Service)
• Air Pollution Technical Information Center (APTIC)
• USGS Water Quality Monitoring Data.
All searches were carried out in June, 1976. Original journal articles
with relevant titles or abstracts were then examined and data extracted.
In addition, various journals were screened manually through December,
1976. These journals included: Analytical Chemistry, Atmospheric Environ-
ment, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, CRC Critical
Reviews in Environmental Control, Environment, Environmental Pollution,
Environmental Research, Environmental Science and Technology, International
Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Environmental
Science and Health, Journal Water Pollution Control Federation, and Water
Research. Other journals were also screened but are not listed because
they did not cover the indicated period, or were of more limited interest
to those seeking information on environmental levels of methylchloroform.
Several important reviews on the subject of methylchloroform were
also consulted. Specifically, a preliminary study of selected potential
1-1
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environmental contaminants including methylchloroform (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1975a), a preliminary economic impact assessment of
possible regulatory action to control atmospheric emissions and selected
halocarbons (Shamel, 1975), a criteria for a recommended standard for
occupational exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methylchloroform) (U.S.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1976), and a
toxicology study called "Methylchloroform and Trichloroethylene in the
Environment" (Aviado et al., 1976) were consulted.
1-2
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2. OCCURRENCE OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ENVIRONMENT
METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE
ATMOSPHERE
No extensive monitoring program designed specifically for methylchloro-
form has been identified. However, methylchloroform has been detected along
with other halocarbons at various locations throughout the U.S. and around
the world. The most extensive data are reproduced in Tables 2.1 and 2.2.
These data are taken from a study done at Cook College, Rutgers University
(Lillian et al., 1975). Other data are summarized in Table 2.3. In
addition, various industrial sites were monitored for methylchloroform in a
study carried out by the Battelle Columbus Laboratories in late 1976 and
early 1977 (see the last section of this chapter, "Methylchloroform Near
Industrial Sites—Multimedia Levels").
The concentration of methylchloroform in the atmosphere ranges from
about 0.1 yg/m3 (20 ppt) in remote areas to over 500 vig/m3 (100 ppb) in
areas where the substance is manufactured or used. Pearson and McConnell
(1975) point out that as one moves away from a manufacturing facility, the
concentration of methylchloroform in air drops off rapidly (Table 2.3).
Battelle data support this conclusion and Ohta et al. (1976) make a similar
observation. They state that the distribution peak for methylchloroform
coincides with locations of machine or metal products plants which use the
solvent.
It was found in the Battelle study that the highest concentrations of
methylchloroform are generally observed downwind from a producer or user
site and the concentration seems to be dependent on the distance from the
discharge point. Most of the higher concentrations are observed at
distances of less than 1 .km. Considerable variation, however, was observed
in the maximum downwind levels of methylchloroform at various production
sites. The variations in the observed maximum concentration among plants
may be due to differences in (1) production processes, (2) emission control
equipment, (3) meteorological conditions, and (4) distance from the plant.
Higher production capacity apparently does not necessarily imply higher
emissions since the maximum concentrations observed at the larger plants
were no higher than those observed at the smaller operations, and were
sometimes lower. Large temporal variations are observed when measuring
these chlorinated hydrocarbons downwind from a production facility.
2-1
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TABLE 2.1. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM LEVELS OF METHYLCHLOROFORM
IN THE ATMOSPHERE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE
UNITED STATES
Monitoring Period
and Location
Concentration,
Levels ppb
June 18-19, 1974 Maximum
Seagrit, New Jersey Minimum
(National Guard Base) Mean
June 27-28, 1974 Maximum
New York, New York Minimum
(45th and Lexington) Mean
July 2-5, 1974 Maximum
Sandy Hook, New Jersey Minimum
(Fort Hancock) Mean
July 8-10, 1974 Maximum
Delaware City, Delaware Minimum
(Road 448 and Route 72 Mean
intersection)
July 11-12, 1974 Maximum
Baltimore, Maryland Minimum
(1701 Poncabird Pass, Mean
Ford Holabird area)
July 16-26, 1974 Maximum
Wilmington, Ohio Minimum
(Clinton County Air Mean
Force Base)
September 16-19, 1974 Maximum
White Face Mountains Minimum
(New York State) Mean
March-December, 1973 Maximum
Bayonne, New Jersey Minimum
Mean
0.20
0.044
0.10
1.6
0.10
0.61
0.33
0.030
0.15
0.30
0.03
0.10
0.21
0.044
0.12
0.35
0.030
0.097
0.13
0.032
0.067
14.4
0.075
1.59
Source: Lillian et al., 1975.
2-2
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TABLE 2.2. TYPICAL LEVELS OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Date and Time
Location
Methylchloroform
Concentration,
ppb
June 27, 1974
2300
September 17, 1974
1200
July 2, 1974
1400
July 19, 1974
1300
July 17, 1974
July 17, 1974
1203
New York, New York 0.28
Urban
White Face Mountains 0.083
New York State (nonurban)
Over Ocean 0.18
Sandy Hook, New Jersey
4.8 km (3 mi) offshore)
Seagirt, New Jersey 0.072
(National Guard Base)
Above the Inversion 0.025
elevated 1500 m (5000 ft)
Wilmington, Ohio
Inversion Layer 0.065
elevation 450 m (1500 ft)
Wilmington, Ohio
Source: Lillian et al., 1975.
2-3
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TABLE 2.3. MISCELLANEOUS MONITORING DATA FOR METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Location
Los Angeles Basin
San Bernadino Mts.
New Brunswick NJ
ii
Kansas City-NASN
Station
Worldwide
Houston TX and
vicinity
Los Angeles Basin
Pullman WA
Date of Data
Collection
Fall 1972
Fall 1972
1973
Unreported
1974
1974
Nov. 1974
April 1975
Dec. 1974 to
Concentration
0.37 ppb (avg.)
0.05 ppb (avg.)
0.27 ppb
0.83 ppb
Detected
5xlO-9 ml/ml of air
Detected
it
100115 ppt
Method3
GC/EC
n
Coulometric GC
n
GC/MS
Estimate
GC/MS computer
n
GC/MS
Reference
Simmonds et al., 1974
it ii
Lillian and Singh, 1974
n n
Bunn et al. , 1975
Goldberg, 1975
Pellizzari et al., 1976
n n
Grimsrud and Rasmussen, 197
Western Ireland
North Atlantic
Britain, perimeter
of a manufacturing
plant
Heath, near the
above plant
Suburban area, re-
moved from plant
Tokyo
Southern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
Stanford Hills CA
Point Reyes CA
Feb. 1975
June/July 1974
Oct. 1973
1972-74
1972-74
1972-74
May 1974-April
1975
1974
1974
Nov. 1975
Dec. 1975
64.8 ppt
75.1 ppt
16 ppb (mass)
6.2 to 11 ppb (mass)
<0.1 to 6 ppb (mass)
0.8 ppb (annual avg.)
24.4 ppt
64.8 ppt
77.6 ppt (avg.
75 measurements)
90.3 ppt (avg. 300
measurements)
Coulometric GC
ii
GC/EC
Lovelock, 1974
ii
Pearson and McConnell, 1975
Ohta et al., 1976
Cox et al., 1976
n n
Singh et al., 1977
GC/EC = Gas chromatography with electron capture detector; GC/MS = Gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy
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Changes in meteorological conditions, particularly wind speed and direction,
and/or variations in the emissions may account for this phenomenon.
There is some question about the source of methylchloroform in the
atmosphere. Lovelock (1974) suggested that some methylchloroform may
occur naturally while discussing evidence for the natural origin of carbon
tetrachloride. He suggests that carbon tetrachloride may result from a
biological source such as algae or more probably from an atmospheric
process. He cites the following reasons for postulating a natural origin
of carbon tetrachloride: (1) the abundance of carbon tetrachloride does
not differ appreciably between the northern and southern hemispheres, which
is not consistent with a northern industrial source, (2) air arriving at
Western Ireland shows a strong correlation between the concentration of
fluorocarbons and continental European origin. No such correlation is
observed for carbon tetrachloride, (3) reaction in air between methane and
chlorine at a concentration of 10"^ results in the production of small but
significant amounts of carbon tetrachloride in the laboratory. After this
discussion, Lovelock concludes that "there is some indication from their
spatial distribution that chloroform and methylchloroform may also in
part at least have a similar natural origin to carbon tetrachloride".
More recently, Cox et al. (1976), in considering oxidation of methyl-
chloroform and other halocarbons by OH radicals, came to the conclusion
that the industrial output of methylene chloride, chloroform, and methyl-
chloroform is probably insufficient to balance the sink due to OH attack,
pointing to a natural source. These workers point out, however, that the
observed hemispheric concentration differences are consistent with an
anthropogenic source (see Table 2.3).
The natural source theory for carbon tetrachloride has recently come
under attack. Galbalby (1976) concludes that a large fraction, perhaps all
of the carbon tetrachloride observed in the atmosphere, could be man-made,
and carbon tetrachloride is a global atmospheric pollutant. He attributes
the ubiquitous nature of carbon tetrachloride and the similar concentra-
tions found in background air in both hemispheres to the fact that carbon
tetrachloride has a long lifetime in the atmosphere, and that a near
equilibrium state of man-made emissions and destruction of the compound in
the atmosphere exists. If this is true, it seems unlikely that a more
complicated G£ molecule such as methylchloroform could be generated in the
atmosphere in any quantity.
From chemical kinetic computations, Graedel and Allara (1976) conclude
that the possibility is remote that any of the observed atmospheric halo-
carbons including methylchloroform and carbon tetrachloride are produced
from natural or anthropogenic precursors by atmospheric chemical processes.
Based on their measured background concentration for methylchloroform
of 84 ppt in the northern hemisphere (Table 2.3)' and on a calculated
cumulative worldwide emissions output of 3.3 million tons of methylchloro-
form up to December, 1975, which they calculate would correspond to a
background atmospheric concentration of 146 ppt, Singh et al. (1977) .
2-5
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conclude that no natural sources for methylchloroform can be inferred.
However, they suggest that methylchloroform residence time in the tropo-
sphere must be much longer than the 1.1 years suggested by others (Table
3.1) or else secondary anthropogenic or natural sources must exist.
The resolution of this question depends on the gathering of more
data and a better understanding of the atmospheric chemistry of halocarbons,
METHYLCHLOROFORM IN SOIL AND SEDIMENT
The only information available on methylchloroform levels in soil and
sediment was obtained from the Battelle study (Battelle's Columbus Labora-
tories, 1977). This information is presented in the section on Methyl-
chloroform Near Industrial Sites.
In general, the concentrations in soil range from less than 0.1 ppb
to about 1 ppb. There does not seem to be any correlation with the distance
from production or user sources, and a concentration of 0.42 ppb was found
in a background sample taken many miles from any known source of methyl-
chloroform. .
Methylchloroform levels in sediment samples were somewhat higher on
the average than the levels in soil. Levels in sediment ranged from less
than 0.1 ppb to about 6 ppb. The background level was 0.45 ppb at a site
far removed from known sources of methylchloroform.
METHYLCHLOROFORM IN SURFACE WATERS
Approximately 200 water samples have been collected and analyzed for
various organic substances (Chian and Ewing, 1976). These samples were
collected from 14 heavily industrialized river basins. These areas and
the approximate number of samples taken at each location are indicated in
Figure 2.1 (Chian and Ewing, 1976, Progress Report No. 4). The results are
summarized in Table 2.4. Methylchloroform was detected in 63 of the
approximately 200 samples analysed and the concentrations ranged from
less than 1 ppb to 8 ppb in these surface waters.
In the vicinity of production plants, the concentration of methylchloro-
form in surface waters is much higher. Levels up to 200 ppb are common
and at one site a level of 3.3 ppm was found. The data appear in the last
section of this chapter.
Pearson and McConnell (1975) report methylchloroform concentrations of
0.09 ppb in rainwater collected in Runcorn, England. The highest concen-
trations that these researchers measured in upland river waters was 0.3 ppb.
These same authors also reported that they have never detected organo-
chlorines in well waters. With a normal detection limit of 0.2 ppb,
Pearson and McConnell (1975), between April and August, 1973, determined
that the maximum concentration of methylchloroform in Liverpool Bay
2-6
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ho
I
Encircled numbers Indicate quantity of
samples to be collected In each area.
Figure 2.1. Industrialized areas where surface water
was sampled (Source: Chian and Ewing, 1976),
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TABLE 2.4. METHYLCHLOROFORM CONCENTRATION IN SURFACE WATER SAMPLES
TAKEN BY THE INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Area
Type of Water Analyzed
Concentration
Number of Range (Average) ,
Samples ppb
Chicago Lake Michigan, sewage 7
treatment plant effluent,
filtration plant, chan-
nels
Illinois Illinois River 11
Pennsylvania Delaware, Schuylkill, 12
0.5 to 8(3)
<1 to 3 (<1)
<1 to 3 (<1)
New York City area
Hudson River area
Upper and Middle
Mississippi River
Lower Mississippi
River
Houston area
Ohio River Basin
Great Lakes
Tennessee River Basin
and Lehigh Rivers
Hudson River and bays 14
Hudson River 1
Mississippi River 3
Mississippi River 1
Galveston Bay and 3
channels
Ohio River and tribu- 3
taries
Lake Superior, Michigan, 6
Huron, Ontario, Erie,
and vicinity
Tennessee River and 2
tributaries
to 2 (<1)
1 to 2 (1)
and 4 (<2)
2-8
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seawater was 3.3 ppb. In Liverpool Bay sediments, a maximum combined
concentration of methylchloroform and carbon tetrachloride was 9.9 ppb.
METHYLCHLOROFORM IN DRINKING WATER
The National Organics Reconnaissance Survey (NORS) was initiated by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in November, 1974. NORS had
three major objectives: (1) Determine the extent of the presence of four
trihalomethanes in finished water; (2) Determine what effects the source
and treatment of water had on the formation of these compounds; (3)
Characterize as completely as possible the organic content of 10 drinking
waters from sites representing five major categories of raw water souces.
During the survey of 10 cities, at least 129 compounds were identi-
fied in drinking water. Some were quantified and others were detected
without quantification. Methylchloroform was one of the latter. Its
presence was detected in the drinking water in Ottumwa, Iowa; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; and Cincinnati, Ohio (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
1975b). Methylchloroform was also detected in the drinking water from the
Belmont water treatment plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 8,
1975, using continuous liquid-liquid extraction of the water followed by
identification by gas chromatography/mas spectrometry (Keith, 1976).
Methylchloroform was also detected in tap water at the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina,
on May 7, 1975, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Keith, 1976).
Methylchloroform was identified as a component of New Orleans drinking
water but it was not quantified (Dowty et al., 1975a). The only quantita-
tive information available was that reported by Bellar et al. (1974). In
an investigation of the chlorination of water for purification and the
potential for the formation of potentially harmful chlorinated compounds
by the process, scientists at the National Environmental Research Center
at the Environmental .Protection Agency in Cincinnati, Ohio, reported the
following concentrations of methylchloroform in water from a sewage-
treatment plant: influent before treatment, 16.5 yg/S,; effluent before
chlorination, 9.0 yg/£; and effluent after chlorination, 8.5
METHYLCHLOROFORM NEAR INDUSTRIAL
SITES—MULTIMEDIA LEVELS
A program to determine environmental levels of methylchloroform was
initiated in 1976 at Battelle's Columbus Laboratories. During late 1976
and early 1977, samples were collected from various production sites, a
user site, and a background site. The samples were analyzed and the results
are summarized in Tables 2.5 through 2.10 and in the corresponding maps of
the plant locations on which the sampling sites are indicated Figures 2.2
through 2.7). Details of the results and methodology are given in a com-
panion report, EPA-560/6-77-025 (Battelle's Columbus Laboratories, 1977).
2-9
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TABLE 2.5. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT DOW CHEMICAL
PLANT A (METHYLCHLOROFORM PRODUCER)
Air
Distance Upwind (U) ,
Concentration, From Plant, Downwind (D) ,
Site ppbva km or Variable (V)
Site
Al
A2
A5
A6
A7
A8
A2,A4,
A7,A12
A1S
ASS
A7S
1A <0. 3 to 2.3 2.6
2A <0.3 to 1.1 1.9
3A <0. 3 to 1.2 3.2
4A <0.3 2.1
5A <0.3 to 0.7 0.8
6A <0.3 /1.9
7A <0. 3 to 1.1 2.6
8A <0. 3 to 2.2 2.6
10A <0.3 3.2
12A <0.3 to 11.5 2.6
13A <0.3 to 0.5 5.1
14A <0.3 7.8
Water, Soil, and Sediment
Description of Media
Surface water, 10 m upstream of effluent
canal
Water, as above, except 2.5 m deep
Surface water, 400 m downstream of plant
outfall
Water, as above except 4 m deep
Surface water, 800 m upstream of plant
outfall
Surface water, bayou 2.6 km from plant
Soil, quadrants around plant at 2 km
Sediment, from effluent canal
D
V
D
D
U
U
V
D
D
D
D
D
Concentration,
ppb
117
119
0.8
1.0
0.1
12
0.06 to 0.68
6.1
Sediment, 400 m downstream of plant outfall 0.34
Sediment , 800 m upstream of plant outfall
. 0.31
Limits of detection: 0.3 ppbv. To convert to yg/m3 at 25 C,
multiply ppbv by 5.46.
2-10
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Residential
O Emission Source
-Highway
Railroad
Plant Proper
Industrial
Q Marsh
• Air Site
• Soil Site
* Water Site
~ Sediment Site
Figure 2.2.
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TABLE 2.6. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT VULCAN MATERIALS
COMPANY (METHYLCHLOROFORM PRODUCER)
Air
Distance
Upwind (U),
Concentration, From Plant, Downwind (D) ,
Site
El
E2
E3
E4
E6,E7
E1S
E3S
Site ppbva km or
1 <0.3 to 18 0.4
2 <0.3 to 140 0.3
3 <0.3 0.3
4 <0.3 to 75 0.4
5 5.5 to 155 0.6
6 1.2 to 14 0.6
7 1.4 to 4.0 0.4
8 <0.3 to 0.8 0.3
9 <0.3 to 0.5 3.0
Water, Soil, and Sediment
Description of Media
Surface water, 30 m upstream from plant
outfall
Surface water, at end of outfall pipe
Surface water, 75 m upstream of plant
outfall
Surface water, roadside ditch 60 m from
plant
Variable (V)
V .
V
V
D
D
D
-
V
D
Concentration,
ppb
2
344
169
3,314
Soil, within 200 m of plant on each side 0.45 and 0.94
Sediment, shoreline 30 m upstream of
plant outfall
Sediment, shoreline 75 m downstream of
plant outfall
0.13
2.6
Limits of detection 0.3 ppbv. To convert to yg/m3 at 25 C,
multiply ppbv by 5.46.
2-12
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Emission Source
Highway
Plant Proper
Residential
Air Site
Soil Site
Water Site
Sediment Site
Figure 2.3.
site.
2-13
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TABLE 2.7. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT ETHYL
CORPORATION (METHYLCHLOROFORM PRODUCER)
Air
Distance
Concentration, From Plant,
Upwind (U) ,
Downwind (D) ,
Site ppbva km or Variable (V)
Site
Cl
C2
C3
C4,C7
C2S
C3S
1 <0.3 0.4
2 <0.3 0.2
3 <0.3 to 3.9 2.4
4 <0.3 2.6
5 <0.3 2.2
6 <0.3 0.7
7 <0.3 2.2
8 <0.3 3.2
Water, Soil, and Sediment
Description of Media
Surface water, immediately above
settling pond
Surface water, 200 m upstream of plant
outfall
D
D
D
D
-
U
-
D
Concentration,
ppb
74
9,4
Surface water, 300 m downstream of plant 20
outfall
Soil, various locations in vicinity
of plant
Sediment, 200 m upstream of plant
outfall
Sediment, 300 m downstream of plant
outfall
0.13 to 0.28
0.81
None detected
Q O
Limits of detection: 0.3 ppbv. To convert to yg/md at 25 C,
multiply ppbv by 5.46.
2-14
-------
O Emission Source
Highway
Railroad
Plant Proper
Industrial
Residential
Air Site
Soil Site
Water Site
Sediment Site
Mile
1/2
I -•
0
•5 1
Kilometer
Figure 2.4.
Sampling locations at Ethyl Corporation, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana—methylchloroform production site.
-------
TABLE 2.8. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT PPG INDUSTRIES
(METHYLCHLOROFORM PRODUCER)
Air
Distance Upwind (U)
Concentration, From Plant, Downwind (D) ,
Site ppbva km or Variable (V)
Site
Fl
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6-F9
F1S
F3S
1 0.8 to 1.3 1.3
2 <0.3 4.2
3 <0.3 to 0.7 3.5
4 <0.3 2.7
5 <0.3 1.4
6 <0.3 to 8.5 4.0
7 <0.3 0.6
8 0.4 1.3
Water, Soil, and Sediment
Description of Media
Surface water, 50 m upstream of plant
outfall
Surface water, at plant outfall No. 1
Surface water, at plant outfall No. 2
Surface water, 50 m downstream of
outfall No. 2
Surface water, lake downstream of plant
outfall
Soil, quadrants surrounding plant
Sediment , 50 m upstream of plant
outfall
Sediment, at plant outfall No. 2
U
U
V
U
D
D
U
U
Concentration,
ppb
132
181
58
161
5
0.14 to 1.0
2.2
1.1
Limits of detection: 0.3 ppbv. To convert to yg/m3 at 25 C,
multiply ppbv by 5.46.
2-16
-------
M
~J
Emission Source
Highway
Railroad
Industrial
Plant Proper
Residential
Marsh
Tailings Pond
Air Site
Soil Site
Water Site
Sediment Site
.5 1
Kilometer
• 2
Figure 2.5. Sampling locations at PPG Industries, Lake Charles,
Louisiana—methylchloroform production site.
-------
TABLE 2.9. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT BOEING COMPANY
(METHYLCHLOROFORM USER)
Concentration ,
Site ppbva
Site
J2
J6
J3
J4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Surface
pond
Surface
from
Surface
plant
Surface
0.8 to 10.0
0.4 to 0.5
0.4 to 5.0
0.6 to 6.2
0.9
1.6 to 2.3
4.8 to 7.4
7.8 to 8.4
4.0 to 4.4
7.0 to 8.1
Water, Soil
Description
water, outfall
water, outfall
plant
water, outfall
Air
Distance Upwind (U)
From Plant , Downwind (D) ,
km or Variable (V)
0.7 D
0.6 U
0.9 U
1.1
0.9
0.4
1.2 D
2.0
2.9 U
1.1
, and Sediment
Concentration ,
of Media ppb
from settling 18
canal, 1.5 km 18
canal, 3 km from 12
water, 100 m downstream of plant 6
J5
Jl
J7
J4S
J5S
outfall
Surface water, 30 m upstream of plant
outfall
Soil, about 1 km from plant
Soil, about 0.5 km from plant
Sediment, 100 m downstream of plant
outfall . ,
0.40
0.65
0.039
Sediment, 30 m upstream of plant outfall None detected
aLimits of detection: 0.3 ppbv. To convert to yg/m3 at 25 C,
multiply ppbv by 5.46.
2-18
-------
Emission Source
Highway
Railroad
Industrial
Plant Proper
Residential
Air Site
Soil Site
Water Site
Sediment Site
0 .5 1
Kilometer
Figure 2.6. Sampling locations at Boeing Company, Auburn,
Washington—methylchloroform user site.
2-19
-------
TABLE 2.10. CONCENTRATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN AIR,
WATER, SOIL, AND SEDIMENT AT ST. FRANCIS
NATIONAL FOREST (BACKGROUND)
Media Concentration
Air <0.3 ppbv
Surface water, from lake 0.4 ppb (average)
Soil 0.42 ppb (average)
Sediment 0.45 ppb (average
2-20
-------
Dam
I| Parking Lot
Air Site
Soil Site
Water Site
Sediment Site
Meters
Figure 2.7. Sampling locations at St. Francis National Forest,
Helena, Arkansas—background site.
2-21
-------
In general, concentrations of methylchloroform downwind from the various
industrial sites were higher than in the upwind direction, but considerable
variation was observed in the maximum downwind levels at various production
plants. Concentrations of methylchloroform in ambient air ranged from less
than 0.3 ppb (limit of detection) to 155 ppb.
Concentrations of methylchloroform in surface water in the vicinity of
the production and user plants was even more variable ranging from fractions
of a ppb to over 16 ppm. Concentrations in soil and sediment ranged from
the limits of detection to 6.1 ppb.
2-22
-------
3. TRANSFORMATIONS OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE ENVIRONMENT
This section indicates the changes that methylchloroform can undergo
in various real and simulated environmental media. The information on the
subject is summarized in Table 3.1 and represented schematically in
Figure 3.1.
Methylchloroform is oxidized photochemically in the troposphere.
The photochemical removal rate is estimated to be 0.9 million tons per year
(Cox et al., 1976), which is in excess of world production resulting in
release estimated by the same authors to be 0.28 millions tons per year.
The implications of these results are discussed in Chapter 2. The residence
of methylchloroform in the troposphere is longer than that for a compound
containing unsaturation such as trichloroethylene, but much shorter than
the residence time for completely halogenated compounds such as carbon
tetrachloride or the freons with lifetimes of over 300 years.
There is evidence that methylchloroform is relatively stable under
simulated sea-level conditions as shown in Figure 3.2 Sunlight in these
experiments was initiated using sunlamps with an intensity of one to two
times that of noontime sea-level sunlight at wavelengths greater than
295 nm. Figure 3.3 shows the rapid oxidation of methylchloroform at
simulated high-altitude conditions. These conditions, however, are some
10 to 100 times as intense as would be observed from 40 km upward, and
so the rate is probably exaggerated. These results indicate that methyl-
chloroform is fairly nonreactive in sea-level atmospheres but as it mixes
upward its photochemical decomposition increases.
Methylchloroform has a half-life of 30 weeks in sea water of pH 8 at
10 C. The primary degradation product is vinylidene chloride (Pearson and
McConnell, 1975). However, at higher temperatures (approximately 70 C),
methylchloroform hydrolyses to acetic acid. Evaporation from water into
the atmosphere is probably the principal mode of removal. Billing et al.
(1975) estimate that a half-life of 17 minutes for evaporation. In good
agreement is the data from Dow Chemical, Table 3.2. Here evaporation from
a variety of substances is reported.
Pearson and McConnell (1975) were unable to identify any biological
oxygen demand (BOD) for the chlorinated hydrocarbons.
3-1
-------
TABLE 3.1. TRANSFORMATIONS OF METHYLCHLOROFORM
IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Media
Change or Products Observed
Reference
Simulated atmospheric
conditions
Simulated atmospheric
conditions
Simulated atmospheric
conditions
One ppm in water con-
taining natural and
added contaminants
Water, 25C
Sea Water (pH 8, 10 C)
Atmosphere
Troposphere
Troposphere, 4.4
parts/thousand
Smog chamber
Atmosphere near
welding
<5% decomposed in 23.5 hr
with (NO)
<5% decomposed in 8 hr
(50 ppm methylchloroform
10 ppm N0~)
Est. half-life »1700 hr
17 min half-life for
evaporation
Billing, et al., 1976
Billing, et al., 1976
Billing, et al., 1976
Billing, et al., 1975
6.9 mo half-life for hydrolysis Dilling, et al., 1975
McConnell, etal,, 1975
McConnell, et al., 1975
1.1 years (lifetime)
26 weeks half life
9 mo half-life, vinylidene
chloride and acetic acid
10-33 weeks half life
Cox, et al., 1976
Ozone
HC1, Cl£ (in low concentra-
tions)
Pearson and McConnell,
1975
Farber, 1973
Rinzema and Silverstein,
1972
3-2
-------
OJ
U3
Air,
Light
t-1/2 » 1700 hr
(Billing et al., 1976)
CO, C02, H20, HC1, C12
(McConnell et al., 1975)
C13CCH3
Lt-l/2a 39
Water, 70 C
[CH'QCOC1]
CH2 = CC12
Vinylidene Chloride
(Pearson and McConnell, 1976)
CH3C(TCOCH3
Acetic Anhydride
t-1/2 = time required for one-half of the chlorinated hydrocarbon
to disappear by the indicated process.
Figure 3.1. Transformations of methylchloroform.
-------
80
70
60
50
40
30
(
—
-
• 1 •
• 1 * t
. I • o I
* • • 9
i BOppmCHjCCIj
— lOppmNO-
30% RH
27 °C
1
II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
TIME (days)
80
70
60
I 50
40
30
—
-
-
l ? 1 9 I • •
1 • • ° • •
50ppmCH,CCI-
__ « w
35% RH
— ', 25-26 °C
1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1
3 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
TIME (days)
Figure 3.2. Simulated sea level irradiation of
methylchloroform (Source: Dow Chemical
Company data as reported by Study Panel
on Assessing Potential Ocean Pollutants,
1975).
3-4
-------
SOppmCHjCCIj
OppmNO.,
35% RH
25-3 3 °C
6
a
15
TIME (minutes)
20
30
Figure 3.3. High altitude photoreaction of
methylchloroform (Source: Dow
Chemical Company data as reported
by Study Panel on Assessing
Potential Ocean Pollutants, 1975).
3-5
-------
TABLE 3.2. EVAPORATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM
UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS3
Time (min) fo'r 50%
Condition Disappearance
Tap water @ 25° 22
Tap water @ 1-2° 33
3% Salt solution 25
^500 ppm peat moss 20
^500 ppm wet bentonite clay 20
2.2 mph wind 17
Conditions: 250 ml beaker with 20 ml water with
1 ppm solute initially at 25°. Stirred at 200 rpm.-
Source: Dow Chemical Company data as reported by
Study Panel on Assessing Potential Ocean Pollutants,
1975.
3-6
-------
4. OCCURRENCE OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN FOOD
There are very few data on the presence of methylchloroform in food
raised and sold in the United States, but there is some information on the
presence of methylchloroform in foodstuffs found in the United Kingdom.
This information is summarized in Table 4.1. Methylchloroform concentra-
tions on the order of parts per billion are found in several common
foodstuffs.
TABLE 4.1. METHYLCHLOROFORM IN FOODSTUFFS
Concentration,
yg/kg
Meat
English beef, steak 3
English beef, fat 6
Pig's liver 4
Oils and fats
Olive oil (Spanish) 10
Cod liver oil 5
Castor oil 6
Fruits and vegetables
Potatoes (S. Wales) 4
Potatoes (N.W. England) 1
Apples 3
Pears 2
Tea (packet) 7
Fresh bread 2
Source: McConnell et al., 1975.
4-1
-------
5. EXPOSURE AND BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION OF METHYLCHLOROFORM IN MAN
EXPOSURE
NIOSH estimates that 100,000 workers are exposed to methylchloroform
(U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1976). Methyl-
chloroform is the principal solvent in wet cleaning applications and its use
as a vapor degreaser is expected to increase by 10 percent per year as tri-
chloroethylene undergoes further restrictions (U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 1975a).
A two-year series of studies involving cleaning operations throughout
the United States was carried out by Dow Chemical (Skory et al., 1974).
The purpose was to determine the extent of worker exposure during solvent
vapor degreasing and to compare the three most commonly used chlorinated
solvents: methylchloroform, trichloroethylene, and perchloroethylene. Dow
estimates that there are over 25,000 chlorinated solvent vapor degreasers
throughout the United States. The studies were conducted in the worker
breathing zones which were adjacent to some 275 industrial vapor degreasing
operations. The results of this study show that trichloroethylene and
perchloroethylene vapor concentrations measured around vapor degreasers
frequently exceeded the allowable standards for health and safety. Peak
concentrations were high enough to present a definite health and safety
hazard from anesthetic effects such as dizziness, lack of coordination,
and impaired judgment. These authors further concluded that methyl-
chloroform emissions during vapor degreasing can be controlled easily at
levels below standards established by OSHA.
Although the national primary and secondary photochemical oxidant
standards for chlorinated solvents are less than 3 Ib/hour or 15 Ib/day
maximum for each equipment, it is not uncommon for an idling open-top
vapor degreaser measuring 24 x 58 inches to lose 47 Ib/day trichloroethylene
or 33 Ib/day methylchloroform (Archer, 1973). Judging from production
figures, this material is being lost to the atmosphere and is then replaced.
It is estimated that 2 x 105 tons of chlorinated hydrocarbons are lost
to the environment each year (Murray and Riley, 1973) and that 3 x 105 tons
of methylchloroform are discharged annually (Shamel et al., 1975). In
Los Angeles County alone, it is estimated that 500 tons/day of industrial
effluents are released into the air, and of this amount, 25 tons are dry
cleaning fluids and 95 tons are degreasing solvents, that is, chlorinated
hydrocarbons (Simmonds et al., 1974).
5-1
-------
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
Dowty et al, (1975b) in a paper on halogenated hydrocarbons in drinking
water concludes that "in view of the lipophilic nature of halogenated hydro-
carbons and their occurrence in drinking water, it is not surprising that
they might be found accumulating in blood or other tissues". These authors,
however, present no data or references to support their contentions.
A Study Panel on Assessing Potential Ocean Pollutants (1975) reports
that the bioaccumulation of low-molecular weight chlorinated hydrocarbons
is quite low compared to accumulation of chlorinated pesticides in verte-
brates. This same group reports on another study in which it was determined
that the bioaccumulation factor is determined by the partition of the
compound between the water and the tissues of the organism, and further
that the log of bioaccumulation is linearly related to the log of the
partition coefficient between octanol and water for some compounds. This
relationship offers a method of estimating bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation
for methylchloroform was estimated to be 13. This compound would be
expected to act similarly to carbon tetrachloride in organisms, exhibiting
rapid uptake to steady state concentration, and rapid clearance.
By far the most definitive study on bioaccumulation was carried out
by Pearson and McConnell (1975. Some of the results that they report are
complicated by the fact that methylchloroform and carbon tetrachloride were
not distinguished in the early analytical work that was done. Nevertheless,
these authors determined the amount of methylchloroform present in a large
number of species and their results are tabulated in Table 5.1. They
estimated that the maximum overall increase in concentration, between
sea water and the tissues of animals at the top of the food chains such as
fish liver, bird eggs, and seal blubber is less than 100-fold for solvents
similar to methylchloroform; while a higher molecular weight chlorinated
compound such as hexachlorobutadiene would have a maximum factor of 1000.
They further concluded that the pattern of extensive bioaccumulation of
marine food chains, which is postulated for chlorinated insecticides, does
not appear. In laboratory tests where organisms are maintained for up to
3 months in apparatus similar to that used for toxicity determinations,
Pearson and McConnell (1975) have shown that bioaccumulation can occur.
Their results indicate the following: (1) the concentration of chlorinated
hydrocarbons accumulated in a tissue tends to an asymptotic level, (2) con-
centrations in fatty tissues such as liver are higher than in muscle—
concentration is proportional to fat content, and (3) when the test organism
is returned to clean sea water, the concentration of the chlorinated hydro-
carbon in the tissue falls. These researchers conclude that there is no
evidence for the bioaccumulation of C-±/C2 compounds in food chains and the
maximum concentrations found in the higher trophic levels are still only
parts per 108 by mass.
Despite this strong statement, it is based on a limited set of data, and
caution should be exercised. More information is needed before final judgment
is made about the accumulation of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in the
tissues of animals and man.
5-2
-------
TABLE 5.1. CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS IN MARINE ORGANISMS
(concentrations expressed as parts per 109 by mass on wet tissue)
Ul
I
Species
Plankton
Plankton
Nereis diversicolor
(ragworm)
Mvtilus edulis
(mussel)
Cerastoderma edule
(cockle)
Ostrea edulis
(oyster)
B_uccinum undatum
(whelk)
Crepidula fornicata
(slipper limpot)
Cancer pagurus
(crab)
Carcinus maenas
(shore crab)
Eupagurus bernhardus
(hermit crab)
Source
Liverpool Bay
Torbay
Mersey Estuary
Liverpool Bay
Firth of Forth
Thames Estuary
Liverpool Bay
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Tees Bay
Liverpool Bay
Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
Thames Estuary
CC12CHC1
Invertebrates
0.05-0.4
0.0
ND
4-11.9
9
ft
6-11
2
ND
9
2.6
10-12
15
12
15
5
CC12CC!2 CHjCCl,^
0.05-0.5 0.03-10.7 0.04-0.9
2.3 2.2
2.9 0.6
1.3-6.4 2.4-5.4
9 10 2
1 5 0.7
2-3 0-2 0.4-1
0.5 0.9 0.1
1.6 0.9
2 4 0.3
2.3 8.4
8-9 5-34 3-5
71 2
6 14 3
15 0.7 1
2 2 0.2
-------
TABLE 5.1. (Continued)
Ui
I
Species
Crangon crangon
(shrimp)
Asterias rubens
(starfish)
Sqlaster sp.
(sunstar)
Echinus esculentus
(sea urchin)
Enteromorpha
compressa
Ulva lactuca
Fucus vesiculosus
Fucus serratus
Fucus spiralis
Raja clavata
(ray) flesh
liver
Pleurone c t e s
p_latessa flesh
(plaice) liver
Source
Firth of Forth
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Mersey Estuary
Mersey Estuary
Mersey Estuary
Mersey Estuary
Mersey Estuary
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
CC1 CHC1
16
5
2
1
Marine algae
19-20
23
17-18
22
16
Fish
0.8-5
5-56
0.8-8
16-20
CC12CC12 CH3CC13+CC14
3 26
1 5 0.8
2 3 0.2
1 3 0.1
14-14.5 24-27
22 12
13-20 9.4-10.5
15 35
13 17
0.3-8 2-13
14-41 1.5-18
4-8 0.7-7
11-28 2-47
-------
TABLE 5.1. (Continued)
Species
Platycthys
flesus
(flounder)
Limanda
limanda
(dab)
Scomber
scombrus
(mackerel)
Limanda
limanda
Pleuronectes
platessa
§olea solea
(sole)
Aspitrigla
cucuius
flesh
liver
flesh
liver
flesh
liver
flesh
flesh
flesh
flesh
guts
flesh
guts
Source
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Liverpool Bay
Redear , Yorks
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
CCL2CHC1
3
2
3-5
12-21
5
8
4.6
2
3
2
11
11
6
cci2cci2
2
1
1.5-11
15-30
1
ND
5.1
3
3
4
1
1
2
4
3
5
3
4
3
2
26
4
10
CH3CC13+CC1A
2
0.3
1.3-8
2-14
2
ND
9.9
0.3
0.9
6
1
0.6
0.3
(red gurnard)
Trachurus
trachurus
(scad)
flesh Thames Estuary
Trisopterus
luscus flesh
(pout)
ScLualus
acanthias flesh
(spurdog)
Thames Estuary
Thames Estuary
ND
0.3
-------
TABLE 5.1. (Continued)
Ul
Species
Scomber
scombrus flesh
(mackerel)
CjLu£ea
sprattus flesh
Gadus
morrhus flesh
(cod) air bladder
Sula bassana liver
(gannot) eggs
Phalacrocerax
aristotelis eggs
(shag)
Alca torda
(razorbill) eggs
Rissa tridactyla
(kittiwake) eggs
Cyj»nus olor liver
(swan) kidney
Gallinula liver
chloropus muscle
(moorhen) eggs
Ana_s
platyrhyncos
(mallard) eggs
Source
Torbay , Devon
Torbay , Devon
Torbay, Devon
Torbay, Devon
Irish Sea
Irish Sea
Irish Sea
Irish Sea
North Sea
Frodsham Marsh
(Merseyside)
(Merseyside)
(Merseyside)
(Merseyside)
(Merseyside)
CC12CHC1
2.1
3.4
0.8
<0. 1
Sea and freshwater
4.5-6
9-17
2.4
23-26
33
2.1
14
6
2.5
6.2-7.8
9.8-16
cci2cci2
ND
1.0
<0.1
3.6
birds
1.5-3.2
4.5-26
1.4
19-29
25
1.9
6.4
3.1
0.7
1.3-2.5
1.9-4.5
CH3CC13+CC1
2.4
5.6
3.3
NA
1.2-1.9
17-20
39.4-41
35-43
40
4.7
2.4
1.6
1.1
14.5-21.8
4.2-24
-------
TABLE 5.1. (Continued)
Species Source
Halichoer_us
grypus blubber Fame Is.
(grey seal) liver Fame Is,
Sorex
araneus Frodsham Marsh
(common
shrew)
(~*r* 1 fu/"1"! r*r* i /T*I fxj /"i/"ii 1001
OO J- « V./n.O J- VjVjX,-iVJ^iJL-i Ull n\J V> -L rtTV>*-^ J- »
2 22 334
Mammals
2.5-7.2 0.6-19 16-30
3-6.2 0-3.2 0.3-4.6
2.6-7.8 1 2.3-7
Source: Pearson and McConnell, 1975.
Note: NA = no analysis; ND = not detectable.
-------
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Cleaning Stainless Steels, Special Technical Publication No. 538. American
Society of Testing Materials, pp 54-64.
Aviado, D. M., S. Zakhari, J. A. Simaan, and A. G. Ulsamer. 1976. Methyl-
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Battelle's Columbus Laboratories. 1977. Environmental Monitoring Near
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Protection Agency, Office of Toxic Substances, Washington, D.C.
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Bunn, W. W., E. R. Deane, D. W. Kelin, and R. D. Kleopfer. 1975. Sampling
and Characterization of Air for Organic Compounds. Water, Air and Soil
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Chian, E.S.K. and B. B. Ewing. 1976. Monitoring Data to Detect Previously
Unrecognized Pollutants. Progress Reports 1 to 5. U.S. Environmental
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Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Cox, R. A., R. G. Derwent, A.E.J". Eggleton, and J. E. Lovelock. 1976.
Photochemical Oxidation of Halocarbons in the Troposphere. Atmospheric
Environment. 10;305-308.
Dilling, W. L., C. J. Bredeweg, and N. B. Tefertiller. 1976. Organic
Photochemistry—Simulated Atmospheric Photodecomposition Rates of Methylene
Chloride, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, and
Other Compounds. Environmental Science and Technology. 10(4);351-356.
Dilling, W. L., N. B. Terfertiller, and G. J. Kallos. 1975. Evaporation
Rates and Reactivities of Methylene Chloride, Chloroform, 1,1,1-Trichloro-
ethane, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, and Other Chlorinated
Compounds in Dilute Aqueous Solutions. Environmental Science and
Technology. 9/9):833-838.
Dowty, B., D. Carlisle, J. L. Laseter, and J. Storer. 1975a. New Orleans
Drinking Water Sources Tested by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
Environmental Science and Technology. j?:762-765.
-------
Dowty, B., D. Carlisle, J. L. Laseter, and J. Storer. 1975b. Halogenated
Hydrocarbons in New Orleans Drinking Water and Blood Plasma. Science.
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Pirate rcad /nslnirtitinx on Ilic reverse before completing)
1. HLPQRT NO.
EPA-560/6-77-030
2.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
MULTIMEDIA LEVELS—METHYLCHLOROFORM
5. REPORT DATE
September 1977
6. PERFOFtMING ORGANIZATION CODE
3. RCCIPILNT'S ACCESSION NO.
7. AUTHOR(S)
Battelle Columbus Laboratories
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Battelle Columbus Laboratories
505 King Avenue
Columbus, Oh'io 43201
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-01-1983
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Toxic Substances
Washington, D.C. 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
This report discusses environmental levels of methylchloroform (MC) based on a review of
the literature and other information sources. The concentrations of MC in the U.S.
atmosphere ranges from about 0.1 ug/m3 (20 ppt) in remote areas to over 500 pg/m3 (100
ppb) in some areas near where the substance is manufactured or used. The concentration
drops off rapidly as one moves away from a source facility. Surface water contamination
of MC range from somewhat less than 1 ppb to several hundred ppb in the vicinity of MC
manufacturers. The highest measurement reported (3 ppm) was made in a roadside ditch
near a producer site. MC has been detected but not quantified in U.S. drinking water
except in one case when approximately 10 ppb was reported. Soil and sediment concentra-
tions of MC appear to be no higher near manufacturers and users than in rural areas,
though the data are very limited. The levels are on the order of fractions of a ppb.
MC is a saturated chlorinated hydrocarbon which is relatively stable in the atmosphere.
However, the molecule is susceptible to hydrolysis or dehydrohalogenation and reacts
with water relatively rapidly and is thus degraded in soil and water. There are very
few data on presence of MC in food raised and sold in the U.S. However, data from the
United Kingdom suggest that MC is found on the order of parts per billion in some common
foodstuffs. There is little evidence to judge whether MC accumulates in living
organisms. Limited data on levels in marine organisms show levels on the order of a
few parts per billion.
7.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
Methylchloroform
Water
Sediment
Soil
Air
Human
Food
Behavior
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COSATI l-'iclil/Group
8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Distribution unlimited
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Keport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF CAGES
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA form 2220-1 (Rov. 4-77) PREVIOUS COITION is OOSOLETIC
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