United States
     Environmental Protection
     Agency
                Technical  Fact Sheet-
                    Dinitrotoluene  (DNT)
                                      January 2014
                                                                 TECHNICAL FACT SHEET - DNT
 At a Glance

 *  Nitroaromatic explosive that
     exists as six isomers: 2,4-
     and 2,6-DNT are the most
     common forms.
 *  Not naturally found in the
     environment.
 *  Used as an intermediate in
     the production of ammunition,
     polyurethane polymers, dyes,
     herbicides, plastics and
     automobile airbags.
 *  Commonly found in waste
     streams of DNT
     manufacturing or processing
     facilities.
 *  Expected to remain in water
     for long periods of time
     because of its  relatively low
     volatility and moderate water
     solubility unless broken down
     by light, oxygen or biota.
 *  Adverse effects identified in
     the blood, nervous  system,
     liver and kidney in animals
     after exposure.
 «:«  Classified as a Class B2
     (probable human) carcinogen.
 *  Health-based goals, exposure
     limits, screening levels and
     state drinking water guidelines
     have been developed.
 *  Standard detection methods
     include gas chromatography
     (GC) and high-performance
     liquid chromatography
     (HPLC).
 *  Common treatment
     technologies include
     adsorption, chlorination,
     ozonation, ultraviolet
     radiation, alkaline hydrolysis
     and bioremediation.
                                  Introduction
This fact sheet, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO), provides a
summary of dinitrotoluene (DNT), including physical and chemical properties;
environmental and health impacts;  existing federal and state guidelines;
detection and treatment methods; and additional sources of information. This
fact sheet is intended for use by site managers and field personnel who may
address DNT contamination at cleanup sites or in drinking water supplies.

The widespread use of DNT in manufacturing munitions, polyurethane foams,
and other chemical products has contributed to extensive soil and
groundwater contamination (Xu and Jing 2012). DNT can be transported in
surface water or groundwater because of its moderate solubility and relatively
low volatility, unless degraded by light, oxygen or biota. As a result, releases
to water are important sources of human exposure and remain a significant
environmental concern. DNT is  considered toxic to most organisms, and
chronic exposure may result in organ damage (EPA 2008; EPA IRIS 1990).
EPA currently classifies DNT as a priority pollutant. In addition, EPA has
developed a  1-Day and 10-Day health advisory for 2,4- and 2,6-DNT and has
established an ambient water quality criterion for2,4-DNT.

What is DNT?	
»> DNT is a nitroaromatic explosive that exists as six isomers: 2,4- and 2,6-
   DNT are the two major forms of the chemical. The other four forms (2,3-
   DNT, 2,5-DNT, 3,4-DNT and 3,5-DNT) make  up only 5 percent of technical
   grade DNT (Tg-DNT)(ATSDR 2013b; Lent and others 2012a).
»> DNT is not found naturally in the environment. It is usually produced by
   mixing toluene with nitric and sulfuric acids and is an intermediate in 2,4,6-
   trinitrotoluene (TNT) manufacturing (ATSDR2013b; EPA 2008).
»> 2,4- and 2,6-DNT are the most common isomers produced during TNT
   synthesis (Han and others 2011).
»> DNT mixtures are predominantly used in the production of polyurethane
   polymers. These mixtures are also used as an intermediate in the
   production of dyes, plastics, herbicides and automobile airbags (ASTDR
   2013b; EPA 2008; Paca and others 2011).
»> DNT is also widely used in manufacturing explosives and propellants as a
   gelatinizing, plasticizing and waterproofing agent in industries such as the
   munitions and mining industry. It is also used as a modifier for smokeless
   gunpowder in the munitions  industry. There are currently a small number of
   DNT manufacturing facilities within the United States (ATSDR 2013b; EPA
   2007a; EPA 2008).

  Disclaimer: The U.S. EPA prepared this fact sheet from publically-available sources;
  additional information can be obtained  from the source documents. This fact sheet is
  not intended to be used as a primary source of information and is not intended, nor can
  it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the
  United States. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute
  endorsement or recommendation for use.
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
            Office of Solid Waste and
            Emergency Response (5106P)
EPA 505-F-14-010
    January 2014
                                                     1

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 Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
What is DNT? (continued)
    DNT is commonly deposited through live-fire
    and blow-in-place detonations at military
    ranges and found in waste streams and soil
near munitions manufacturing and processing
facilities (Clausen and others 2011; EPA
2012b).
                     Exhibit 1:  Physical and Chemical Properties of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT
                                (ATSDR 1998; EPA 2008; HSDB 2013)
Property

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number
Physical Description (physical state at room
temperature and atmospheric pressure)
Molecular weight (g/mol)
Water solubility at 22°C (mg/L)
Melting Point (°C)
Boiling point (°C)
Vapor pressure at 25 °C (mm Hg)
Specific gravity/Density
Octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow)
Organic-carbon partition coefficient (log Koc)
Henry's law constant (atm-m3/mol)


121-14-2
Yellow solid
182.14
300
71
300 (slight decomposition)
1.47x10'4
1.32@71°C
1.98
1.65
8.79x1 0'B
2,6-DNT

606-20-2
Yellow to red solid
182.14
180
66
285
5.67 x10'4
1 .28 @ 1 1 1 °C
1.72 or 2. 10 (estimated)
1.96
9.26x10'B
Abbreviations: g/mol - grams per mole; mg/L - milligrams per liter; °C - degree Celsius; mm Hg - millimeters of mercury;
atm-m3/mol - atmosphere-cubic meters per mole.

What are the environmental impacts of DNT?
    DNT is commonly found in surface water,
    groundwater and soil at hazardous waste sites
    that contain buried ammunitions waste or waste
    from facilities that manufacture or process DNT
    (EPA 2008; Darko-Kagya and others 2010; Lent
    and others 2012a).
    DNT is a component of many single-base gun
    propellants and can leach from the gun propellant
    matrix into soils. The most likely location where
    gun propellant-derived DNT may be deposited is
    up to 10 meters in front of the firing point on small
    arms ranges or at open burn/open detonation
    (OB/OD) units where propellants are destroyed
    (EPA 2012b; Racine and others 1992; USAGE
    2007)
    According to the 2011 Toxic Release Inventory, an
    estimated 4,881 pounds of 2,4-DNT from six U.S.
    industrial facilities and three Army ammunition
    plants, and 1,201 pounds of 2,6-DNT from three
    U.S. industrial facilities were  released to the air in
    2011 (EPA TRI 2011).
    As of 2007, 2,4- and 2,6-DNT have been identified
    at more than 98 sites on the EPA National
    Priorities List (NPL) (HazDat 2007).
    Because of their low vapor pressures and low
    Henry's Law constants, 2,4- and 2,6-DNT do not
    usually volatize from water or soil. The isomers
are usually released to air in the form of dusts or
aerosols from manufacturing plants or adsorbed to
other suspended particles (EPA 2008).
2,4- and 2,6-DNT have only a slight tendency to
sorb to sediments, suspended solids or biota
based on their relatively low organic-carbon
partition  coefficients (EPA 2008).
The retention of DNT in soil depends on the
chemistry and content of the soil organic matter
(Clausen and others 2011; Singh and others
2010).
Unless broken down by light, oxygen or biota,
DNT is expected to remain in water for long
periods of time  because of its relatively low
volatility and moderate water solubility. As a result,
DNT has the  potential to  be transported  by
groundwater or surface water (ATSDR 2013b;
EPA 2008).
In water and soil, DNT degrades into a variety of
degradation products through several mechanisms
in the environment, including oxidation, photolysis,
ozonation and chlorination  and biodegradation
(ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008).

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
What are the environmental  impacts of DNT? (continued)
    Vapor-phase 2,4- and 2,6-DNT have an estimated
    half-life of 75 days in the atmosphere and are
    broken down by photodegradation (EPA 2008;
    HSDB2013).
    Photolysis is the primary means for DNT
    degradation in oxygenated water. The
    photodegradation of 2,6-DNT was assessed under
    simulated solar radiation in a seawater solution.
    Within 24 hours, 2,6-DNT had been reduced by 89
    percent and after 72 hours had been fully
    degraded. Without solar radiation, 2,6-DNT was
    reduced by only 3.2 percent after 92 hours (EPA
    2008; NAVFAC 2003).
    Biodegradation of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT in water can
    occur under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions
    (EPA 2008).
    Bradley and others (1994) found that
    microorganisms indigenous to surface soil and
    aquifer materials collected at a munitions-
contaminated site were able to transform 2,4- and
2,6-DNT to amino-nitro intermediates within 70
days (ATSDR 2013b; Bradley and others 1994).
2,4- and 2,6-DNT have relatively low octanol-water
partition coefficients and, as a result, are not
expected to bioaccumulate significantly in animal
tissue (ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008).
As a result of its  moderate solubility, DNT can be
transferred to plants via root uptake from soil and
is expected to accumulate readily in plant
materials (ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008; McFarlane
and others 1987).
DNT's bioavailability and toxicity to plants are
greatly altered by soil properties. Studies have
found that the toxicity of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT for
various plant species is significantly and inversely
correlated with soil organic matter content
(Rocheleau and  others 2010).
What are the routes of exposure and the health effects of DNT?
    Potential exposure pathways include inhalation,
    dermal contact and incidental ingestion, usually in
    occupational settings (ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008).
    Studies indicate that 2,4- and 2,6-DNT are readily
    adsorbed via oral or inhalation exposure. In
    addition, studies have found that 2,4- and 2,6-DNT
    can be adsorbed through skin in toxic amounts
    (EPA 2008; HSDB2013).
    Toxicity to humans has been evaluated in DNT
    factory workers, munitions handlers and mining
    workers. Adverse health effects posed by chronic
    DNT exposure have been identified in the central
    nervous system, heart and circulatory system of
    humans (EPA 2008).
    Identified symptoms from prolonged exposure to
    DNT include nausea, dizziness,
    methemoglobinemia, jaundice, anemia and
    cyanosis (EPA 2008; Darko-Kagya and others
    2010;OSHA2013).
    Studies of workers indicate that exposure to 2,4-
    and 2,6-DNT can lead to increased incidences of
    mortality from ischemic heart disease  (EPA 2008;
    HSDB2013).
    A study conducted by Bruning and others found 25
    percent of 183 miners exposed to DNT via
    inhalation or dermal  contact indicated  signs of liver
    disorder (Bruning and others 1999).
Bruning and others also studied 500 cases of
underground copper miners exposed (many
through direct skin contact) to DNT in Germany.
The study identified 14 cases of renal cell cancer,
five cases of bladder carcinoma, and one case of
renal pelvic carcinoma (Bruning and others 1999).
2,4- and 2,6-DNT have both shown adverse
impacts to neurological, hematological,
reproductive, hepatic and renal functions in animal
studies of rats, mice and dogs (EPA 2008; Xu and
Jing2012).
The Oral  LD50 (the dose that is lethal to 50 percent
of the animals tested) values for 2,4- and 2,6-DNT
indicate that both isomers are moderately to highly
toxic to rats and  mice (EPA 2008; Hartley and
others 1994).
In a recent study, symptoms such as cyanosis,
anemia, increased splenic mass and
hepatocellular lesions were observed in rats
exposed to 2,4- and 2,6-DNT for 14 days (Lent
and others 2012b).
Animal studies have also shown that both 2,6- and
Tg-DNT are hepatocarcinogens and can  cause
liver cancer in rats (HSDB 2013; Lent and others
2012a).
Studies indicate  that the hepatocarcinogenity of
Tg-DNT could be attributed to the 2,6-DNT isomer
(ATSDR 2013b;  Lent and others 2012a).

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
What are the routes of exposure and the health effects of DNT? (continued)
    EPA classified the mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT as
    a Class B2 (probable human) carcinogen based
    on multiple benign and malignant tumor types at
    multiple sites in rats and malignant renal tumors in
    male mice (EPA IRIS 1990).
The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)  has classified DNT
as a Group A3 carcinogen — confirmed animal
carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
(ACGIH 2011).
Are there any federal and state guidelines and health standards for DNT?
    EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
    database includes a chronic oral reference dose
    (RfD) of 2 x 10"3 milligrams per kilogram per day
    (mg/kg/day) for2,4-DNT based on neurotoxicity
    and the presence of Heinz bodies and biliary tract
    hyperplasia in animals (EPA IRIS 1993).
    Based on a provisional peer-reviewed toxicity
    value (PPRTV)  assessment conducted by the EPA
    for both 2,6-DNT and Tg-DNT, EPA established a
    provisional chronic RfD screening value of 3 x 10~4
    mg/kg/day for 2,6-DNT and 9 x 10"4 mg/kg/day for
    Tg-DNT. The PPRTV assessments are developed
    for use in the EPA Superfund program and provide
    toxicity values and  information about adverse
    effects of the chemical (EPA 2013a, b).
    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
    Registry (ATSDR) has established a minimal risk
    level (MRL) of 0.05 mg/kg/day for acute-duration
    oral exposure (14 days or less),0.007 mg/kg/day
    for intermediate-duration oral exposure (15 to 364
    days) and 0.001 mg/kg/day for chronic-duration
    oral exposure (365 days or more) to 2,4-DNT
    (ATSDR 2013a, b).
    For 2,6-DNT, an MRL of 0.09 mg/kg/day has been
    derived for acute-duration oral exposure and 0.004
    mg/kg/day was  derived for intermediate-duration
    oral exposure (ATSDR 2013a, b).
    The cancer risk assessment for the 2,4- and 2,6-
    DNT mixture is  based on an oral slope factor of
    6.8 x 10"1 mg/kg/day and a drinking water unit risk
    of 1.90 x 10~5 micrograms per liter (|ig/L) (EPA
    2008; EPA IRIS 1990).
    EPA risk assessments indicate that the drinking
    water concentration representing a 1 x 10~6 cancer
    risk level for 2,4- and 2,6-DNT mixture is 0.005
    jig/L (EPA IRIS 1990).
    The EPA has established drinking water health
    advisories for DNT, which are drinking water-
    specific risk level concentrations  for cancer (10~4
cancer risk) and concentrations of drinking water
contaminants at which noncancer adverse health
effects are not anticipated to occur over specific
exposure durations (EPA 2012a).
  •   EPA established a  1 -day and 10-day health
      advisory of 1.0 mg/L for 2,4-DNT in drinking
      water for a 10-kilogram (kg) child.
  •   For 2,6-DNT, EPA established a 1-day
      health advisory of 0.4 milligrams per liter
      (mg/L) and a  10-day health advisory of 0.04
      mg/L in drinking water for a 10-kg child .
  •   The drinking water  equivalent levels for 2,4-
      and 2,6-DNT are 0.1 mg/L and 0.04 mg/L.
EPA established an ambient water quality criterion
of 0.11 ug/L for ingestion  of water and organisms
and 9.1 ug/L for ingestion of organisms only for
2,4-DNT at a 1 x 10"6 risk level (EPA 2008).
EPA has calculated a residential soil screening
level (SSL) of 1.6 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
and an industrial SSL of 5.5 mg/kg for 2,4-DNT.
The soil-to-groundwater risk-based SSL is 2.8 x10"
4 mg/kg (EPA 2013c).1
For 2,6-DNT, EPA has calculated a residential
SSL  of 3.3 x 10"1 mg/kg and an industrial soil
screening level of 1.2 mg/kg. The soil-to-
groundwater risk-based SSL is 5.8 x10"5 mg/kg
(EPA2013C).
EPA has also calculated a residential SSL of 7.2 x
10~1 mg/kg and an industrial SSL  of 2.5 mg/kg for
the mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT. The soil-to-
groundwater risk-based SSL is 1.3 x10"4 mg/kg
(EPA2013C).
For 2,4-DNT, EPA has calculated  a residential air
screening level of 2.7 x 10~2 micrograms per cubic
meter (ug/m3) and an industrial air screening level
of 1.4 x 10"1 ug/m3.  EPA has not established an
ambient air screening level for 2,6-DNT or the
mixture of 2,4- and 2,6- DNT (EPA 2013c).
                                                     Screening Levels are developed using risk assessment guidance
                                                    from the EPA Superfund program. These risk-based concentrations
                                                    are derived from standardized equations combining exposure
                                                    information assumptions with EPA toxicity data. These calculated
                                                    screening levels are generic and not enforceable cleanup standards
                                                    but provide a useful gauge of relative toxicity.

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
Are there any federal and state guidelines and health standards for DNT?
(continued)
    For tap water, EPA has calculated screening
    levels of 2.0 x 10'1 \iglL for 2,4-DNT, 4.2 x 10'2
    ug/L for 2,6-DNT, and 9.2 x 10'2 \iglL for 2,4- and
    2,6- DNT mixture (EPA 2013c).2
    In 2005, 2,4- and 2,6-DNT were included on the
    second drinking water Contaminant Candidate
    List, which is a list of unregulated contaminants
    that are known to, or anticipated to, occur in public
    water systems and may require regulation under
    the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In 2008, the
    EPA made a determination not to regulate either
    isomerwith a national primary drinking water
    regulation based on the infrequent occurrence of
    the isomers at levels of concern in public water
    supply systems (EPA OGWDW 2008).
    2,4- and 2,6-DNT are designated as hazardous
    substances under Section 311(b)(2)(A)  of the
    Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further
    regulated  by the Clean Water Act. Any discharge
    of these chemical over a threshold level of 10
    pounds into navigable waters is subject to
    reporting requirements (EPA 2011).
    2,4-DNT is a listed substance under the Resource
    Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Toxicity
    Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP)
    organics list. If soils or wastes containing 2,4-DNT
    produce leachate with concentrations equal to or
    greater than the TCLP threshold (0.13 mg/L) for
    2,4- DNT, they are classified as RCRA
    characteristic hazard waste and would require
    treatment (EPA 2006a).
    The Occupational Safety and Health
    Administration set a general industry permissible
    exposure  limit of 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter
    (mg/m3) based on a time-weighted average (TWA)
    over an 8-hour workday for airborne exposure to
    DNT(OSHA2013).
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) considers DNT a potential
occupational carcinogen and has established a
recommended exposure limit (REL) of 1.5 mg/m3
based on a TWA over a 10-hour workday and 40-
hour workweek for airborne exposure to DNT
(OSHA 2013; NIOSH 2010).
NIOSH has also established an immediately
dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration of
50 mg/m3 for DNT (NIOSH 2010).
The ACGIH has set a threshold limit value (TLV)
of 0.2 mg/m3 based on a TWA over an 8-hour
workday and 40-hour work week for airborne
exposure to DNT (ACGIH 2011).
Both 2,4- and 2,6-DNT are identified as toxic
substances under Section 313 of the Emergency
Planning  and Community Right-to-Know Act under
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (EPA 1999).
Under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the
EPA has  established a reportable quantity limit of
10 pounds for 2,4-DNT, 100 pounds for 2,6-DNT,
and 10 pounds for the mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-
DNT. EPA requires that all spills and releases to
the environment that equal or exceed these
quantities be reported immediately to the  National
Response Center (EPA 2011).
Various states have established drinking water
guidelines for 2,4- and 2,6-DNT, including Florida
(0.05 |ig/L for each isomer), Maine (0.5 ug/L for
each isomer) and Wisconsin (0.05 ug/L for each
isomer). New Hampshire has established a
drinking water guideline for 2,4-DNT of 0.11 ug/L
(HSDB2013).
2 Tap water screening levels differ from the IRIS drinking water
concentrations because the tap water screening levels account for
dermal, inhalation and ingestion exposure routes; age-adjust the
intake rates between the child and adult based on body weight; and
time-adjust for exposure duration or days per year. The IRIS
drinking water concentrations consider only the ingestion route,
account only for adult-intake rates and do not time-adjust for
exposure duration or days per year.

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
What detection and site characterization methods are available for DNT?
    DNT is commonly deposited in the environment as
    discrete particles with strongly heterogeneous
    spatial distributions. Unless precautions are taken,
    this variability causes highly variable soil data,
    which can lead to confusing or contradictory
    conclusions about the location and degree of
    contamination. As described in SW-846 Method
    8330B, proper sample collection (using an
    incremental field sampling approach), sample
    processing (which includes grinding) and
    incremental subsampling are required to obtain
    reliable soil data (EPA 2006b).
    Common analytical methods for DNT isomers rely
    on gas chromatography (GC) and high-
    performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    (ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008).
    GC is usually used in combination with various
    detectors including flame ionization detector,
    electron capture detector (ECD), Hall electrolytic
    conductivity detector, thermionic specific detector,
    Fourier transform infrared, thermal energy
    analyzer or mass spectrometry (MS) (ATSDR
    2013b).
    Capillary GC columns with ECD have been
    developed to detect 2,4-DNT in both air and
    surface  particulate samples (ATSDR 2013b).
    Surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy was
    shown to detect 2,4-DNT vapor at a concentration
    level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) or less in air
    (ATSDR 2013b; Sylvia and others 2000).
    Cross-reactive optical microsensors can detect
    2,4-DNT in water vapor at a level of 23 ppb in
    clean, dry air (ATSDR 2013b, Albert and Walt
    2000).
    A continuous countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction
    method  is capable of extracting 2,4- and 2,6-DNT
from surface water samples (ATSDR 2013b;
Derouxand others 1996).
Reversed-phase, HPLC enables the direct
analysis of aqueous samples to identify DNT in
wastewater. The estimated detection limit for 2,4-
DNT is 10 ug/L (Jenkins and others 1986; ATSDR
1998).
Negative-ion chemical ionization is a sensitive and
selective technique that has been  used to identify
trace amounts of nitroaromatic compounds in
complex aqueous mixtures (ATSDR 2013b; Feltes
and others 1990).
Pressurized fluid extraction and gas and liquid
chromatography-MS can also be used  to detect
2,4-DNT in soil (ATSDR 2013b; Campbell and
others 2003).
In soils, a sonic extraction-liquid chromatographic
method has been used to detect 2,4-DNT in soils
(ATSDR 2013b; Griest and others 1993).
EPA SW-846 Method 8330, HPLC using a dual
wavelength ultraviolet  (UV) detector, has been
used for the detection  of ppb levels of certain
explosive and  propellant residues, such as 2,4-
and 2,6-DNT, in water, soil or sediment (EPA
2007c).
EPA SW-846 Method 8095 uses capillary-column
GC with an ECD to analyze for explosives, such
as 2,4- and 2,6-DNT, in water and soil  (EPA
2007b).
EPA Method 529 uses solid phase extraction and
capillary column GC and MS for the detection of
2,4- and 2,6-DNT in drinking water (EPA 2002).
There are currently no EPA-approved analytical
methods for the other four DNT isomers (2,3-DNT,
2,5-DNT, 3,4-DNT, and 3,5-DNT).
What technologies are being used to treat DNT?
    Remediation technologies for DNT-contaminated
    soil and groundwater sites typically involve the use
    of separation processes, advanced oxidation
    processes, chemical reduction, bioremediation
    and phytoremediation (Rodgers and Bunce 2001).
    Adsorption on a solid phase, such as granular
    adsorbent, is the basic method to collect DNT from
    the atmosphere. This treatment is followed by
    removal with solvents such as chloroform, acetone
    or methane (ATSDR 2013b; EPA 2008).
    Munitions wastewater containing DNT is
    commonly treated  by activated carbon adsorption
    followed by incineration of the spent carbon  (Chen
    and others 2011).
As a result of its high efficiency and ease of
operation, electrochemical oxidation has been
applied successfully to treat DNT-contaminated
wastewater (Chen and others 2011).
Nanotechnology has emerged as a potential
technology for the reductive chemical degradation
of DNT in soil and groundwater. Studies have
shown that lactate-modification of nanoscale iron
particles (NIPs) can enhance the transport of NIPs
and chemical degradation of 2,4-DNT in soil
(Darko-Kagya and others 2010; Reddy and others
2011).

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
What technologies are being used to treat DNT? (continued)
    Batch experiments demonstrated that in situ
    chemical oxidation using iron sulfide activated
    persulfate was able to degrade 2,4-DNT
    completely in water (Oh and others 2011).
    Researchers have been assessing potential
    bioremediation technologies for soil and
    wastewater contaminated with DNTs because
    physical and chemical methods can be relatively
    expensive and produce concentrated waste
    streams that require further treatment (Nishino
    and Spain 2001; Wang and others 2011).

    Studies have found that 2,4-DNT is more  easily
    degraded than 2,6-DNT by bioremediation in soil
    and groundwater.  In addition, sequential
    treatment systems may be needed to treat soil
    or water containing both isomers (Nishino and
    Spain 2001).
    Recent studies have achieved a 2,4-DNT
    removal efficiency above 99 percent in
    wastewater using a sequential
    anaerobic/aerobic biodegradation treatment
    method (Kuscu and Sponza 2011; Wang and
    others 2011).
A study was conducted to measure the lowest
concentrations of DNT isomers that could
support sustained growth of DNT-degrading
microorganisms under aerobic conditions. Study
results suggested that bioremediation (including
natural attenuation) of DNT-contaminated
groundwater may be an effective treatment
option (Han and others 2011).
Common methods to treat DNT in soils are
incineration and bioremediation (Darko-Kagya
and others 2010; FRTR2007).
Recent field demonstrations for soil have
successfully employed alkaline hydrolysis to
treat high concentrations of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT to
meet cleanup criteria (Britto  and others 2010).
A protocol document for the  application of
alkaline hydrolysis to treat DNT and other
explosives in soil ("Management of Munitions
Constituents in Soil using Alkaline Hydrolysis")
has been developed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Engineer Research and
Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg,
Mississippi (USAGE 2011).
Where can I find more information about DNT?
   ATSDR. 2013a. "Minimal Risk Levels (MRL)"
   List, www.atsdr.cdc.qov/mrls/index.asp
   ATSDR. 2013b. "Toxicological Profile for
   Dinitrotoluenes."
   www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp109.pdf
   Albert K.J. and D.R. Walt. 2000. "High-Speed
   Fluorescence Detection of Explosives-Like
   Vapors." Analytical Chemistry. Volume 72(9).
   Pages 1947 to 1955.
   American Conference of Governmental
   Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). 2011. "2011
   Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances
   and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure
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   Bradley P.M., Chapelle, F.H., Landmeyer, J.E.,
   and J.G. Schumacher. 1994. "Microbial
   Transformation of Nitroaromatics in Surface
   Soils and Aquifer Materials." Applied and
   Environmental Microbiology. Volume 60(2).
   Pages 2170 to 2175.
   Britto, R. and  M. Spangberg. 2010. "Full-Scale
   Alkaline Hydrolysis Treatment of TNT and DNT
   in Soil." Environment,  Energy Security, and
   Sustainability. Symposium and Exhibition. June
   2010.
Bruning T., Chronz, C., Thier, R., Havelka, J.,
Ko, Y., and H.M. Bolt.  1999. "Occurrence of
Urinary Tract Tumors in Miners Highly Exposed
to Dinitrotoluene." Journal of Occupational and
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Campbell S., Ogoshi, R., Uehara, G., and Q.X.
Li. 2003. "Trace Analysis of Explosives in Soil:
Pressurized Fluid Extraction and Gas and Liquid
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry." Journal
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Chen, Y., Shi, W., Xue, H., Han, W., Sun, X., Li,
J., and L. Wang. 2011. "Enhanced
Electrochemical Degradation of Dinitrotoluene
Wastewater by Sn-Sb-Ag-Modified Ceramic
Particulates." Electrochimica Acta. Volume 58.
Pages 383 to 388.
Clausen, J.L., Scott, C., and I. Osgerby. 2011.
"Fate of Nitroglycerin and Dinitrotoluene in Soil
at Small Arms Training Ranges." Soil and
Sediment Contamination. Volume 20. Pages
649 to 671.

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
Where can I find more information about DNT? (continued)
    Darko-Kagaya, K., Khodadoust, A.P., and K.R.
    Reddy. 2010. "Reactivity of Lactate-Modified
    Nanoscale Iron Particles with 2,4-Dinitrotoluene
    in Soils". Journal of Hazardous Materials.
    Volume 182. Pages 177 to 183.
    Deroux, J.M., Gonzalez, C., Le Cloirec, P. and
    G. Kovacsik. 1996. "Analysis of Extractable
    Organic Compounds in Water by Gas
    Chromatography Mass Spectrometry:
    Applications to Surface Water." Talanta. Volume
    43 (3). Pages 365 to 380.
    Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable
    (FRTR). 2007. "Section 2.10.2:  Common
    Treatment Technologies for Explosives in Soil,
    Sediment, Bedrock, and Sludge." Remediation
    Technologies Screening Matrix and Reference
    Guide. Version 4.0.
    Feltes, J., Levsen, K., Volmer, D, and M.
    Spiekermann. 1990. "Gas Chromatographicand
    Mass Spectrometric Determination of
    Nitroaromatics in Water." Journal of
    Chromatography. Volume 518(1). Pages 21 to
    40.
    Griest, W.H., Stewart, A.J., Tyndall, R.L., Caton,
    J.E., Ho, C.H., Ironside, K.S., Caldwell, W.M.
    and E. Tan. 1993. "Chemical and Toxicological
    Testing of Composted Explosives-Contaminated
    Soil." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
    Volume 12(6). Pages1105 to1116.
    Han, S., Mukherji, ST., Rice, A., and J.B.
    Hughes. 2011. "Determination of 2,4- and 2,6-
    Dinitrotoluene Biodegradation Limits."
    Chemosphere. Volume 85. Pages 848 to 853.
    Hartley, W.R., Roberts, W.C. and B.J. Commons
    (eds). 1994. Drinking Water Health Advisory:
    Munitions II. Professional Administrative
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    Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB).
    2013. "Dinitrotoluene," "2,4- Dinitrotoluene," and
    "2,6- Dinitrotoluene." http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/
    cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen? HSDB
    HazDat. 2007. "2,4 and 2,6 DNT." HazDat
    Database: ATSDR's Hazardous Substance
    Release and Health Effects Database. Atlanta,
    GA:  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
    Registry.
    Jenkins, T.G., Leggett, D.C., Grant, C.L., and
    C.F. Bauer. 1986. "Reversed-Phase High
    Performance Liquid Chromatographic
Determination of Nitroorganics in Munitions
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Kuscu, O.S.and D.T. Sponza. 2011.
"Application of Box-Wilson Experimental Design
Method for 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Treatment in a
Sequential Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor
(AMBR)/Aerobic Completely Stirred Tank
Reactor (CSTR) System." Journal of Hazardous
Materials. Volume 187. Pages 222 to 234.
Lent, E.M, Grouse, L., Quinn Jr., M.J., and S.M
Wallace. 2012a. "Assessment of the In Vivo
Genotoxicity of Isomers of Dinitrotoluene Using
the Alkaline Comet and Peripheral  Blood
Micronucleus Assays." Mutation Research.
Volume 742. Pages 54 to 60.
Lent, E.M, Grouse, L., Quinn Jr., M.J., and S.M
Wallace. 2012b. "Comparison of the Repeated
Dose Toxicity  of Isomers of Dinitrotoluene."
International Journal of Toxicology. Volume 31
(2). Pages 143 to 157.
McFarlane, C., Nolt, C., Wickliff, C., Pfleeger, T.,
Shimabuku, R., and M. McDowell. 1987. The
Uptake, Distribution and Metabolism of Four
Organic chemicals by Soybean Plants and
Barley Roots.  Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry. Volume 6 (11). Pages 847 to 856.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). 2010. "Dinitrotoluene." Pocket
Guide to Chemical Hazards.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0235.html
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
(NAVFAC). 2003. "Assessment of
Environmental Effects of Ordnance Compounds
and their Transformation Products in Coastal
Ecosystems."  Technical Report. TR-2234-ENV.
www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a424122.pdf
Nishino, S.F and J.C. Spain. 2001. "Technology
Status Review: Bioremediation of Dinitrotoluene
(DNT)." Strategic Environmental  Research and
Development  Program.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). 2013. "Dinitrotoluene" Chemical
Sampling Information, www.osha.gov/dts/
chemicalsampling/data/CH 237000.html
Oh, S., Kang,  S.,  Kim, D., and P.C. Chiu. 2011.
"Degradation of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene by Persulfate
Activated with Iron Sulfides." Chemical
Engineering Journal. Volume 172. Pages 641 to
646.

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  Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
Where can I find more information about DNT? (continued)
    Paca, J., Halecky, M., Hudcova, T., Paca, Jr., J.,
    Stiborova, M., and E. Kozliak. 2011. "Factors
    Influencing the Aerobic Biodegradation of 2,4-
    Dinitrotoluene in Continuous Packed Bed
    Reactors." Journal of Environmental Science and
    Health. Part A. Volume 46. Pages 1328 to 1337.
    Racine, C.H., Walsh, M.E., Collins, C.M., Calkins,
    D.J., Roebuck, B.D., and L. Reitsma. 1992.
    "Waterfowl Mortality in Eagle River Flats, Alaska.
    The Role of Munitions Residues." CRREL Report
    92-5. www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a252646.pdf
    Reddy, K.R., Darko-Kagya, K., and C. Cameselle.
    2011. "Electrokinetic-Enhanced Transport of
    Lactate-Modified Nanoscale Iron  Particles for
    Degradation of Dinitrotoluene in Clayey Soils."
    Separation and Purification Technology. Volume
    79. Pages 230 to 237.
    Rocheleau, S., Kuperman, R.G.,  Simini, M.,
    Hawari, J., Checkai, R.T., Thiboutot, S.,
    Ampleman, G., and G.I. Sunahara. 2010. "Toxicity
    of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene to Terrestrial Plants in
    Natural Soils." The Science of the Total
    Environment. Volume 408. Pages 3192 to 3199.
    Rodgers, D. and N.J. Bunce, 2001. "Treatment
    Methods for the Remediation of Nitroaromatic
    Explosives." Water Research. 35. Pages 2101 to
    2111.
    Singh, N., Berns, A.E. Hennecke, D., Hoerner, J.,
    Koerdel, W., and A. Schaeffer. 2010. "Effect of
    Soil Organic Matter Chemistry on Sorption of
    Trinitrotoluene and 2,4-Dinitrotoluene." Journal of
    Hazardous Materials. Volume 173. Pages 343 to
    348.
    Sylvia, J.M., Janni, J.A., Klein, J.D., and K.M.
    Spencer. 2000. "Surface-Enhanced Raman
    Detection of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Impurity Vapor as a
    Marker to Locate Landmines." Analytical
    Chemistry. Volume 72(23). Pages 5834 to 5840.
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE). 2007.
    "Propellant Residues Deposition from Small Arms
    Munitions." ERDC/CRREL TR-07-17.
    USAGE. 2011. "Management of Munitions
    Constituents in Soil Using Alkaline Hydrolysis."
    ERDC/EL TR-11-16. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/
    elpubs/pdf/trel11-16.pdf
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    1999. "The Emergency Planning  and Community
    Right-to-Know Act. Section 313 Release Reporting
    Requirements." EPA 845-K-99-002.
    EPA. 2002. Method 529. "Determination of
    Explosives and  Related Compounds in Drinking
Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Capillary
Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
(GC/MS)." Revision 1.0. EPA/600/R-05/052.
EPA. 2006a. "Characteristics of Hazardous Waste
- Toxicity Characteristic." Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR). .CFR Section 261.24.
EPA. 2006b. SW-846. Method 8330b. "Appendix
A: Collecting and Processing of Representative
Samples for Energetic Residues in Solid Matrices
from Military Training Ranges." www.epa.gov/
osw/hazard/testmethods/pdfs/8330b.pdf
EPA. 2007a. "2,4-Dinitrotoluene." Technology
Transfer Network Air Toxics website.
www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/dini-lue.html
EPA. 2007b. SW-846. Method 8095. "Explosives
by Gas Chromatography." www.epa.gov/osw/
hazard/testmethods/sw846/pdfs/8095.pdf
EPA. 2007c.  SW-846. Method 8330A.
"Nitroaromatics and Nitramines by High
Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)."
Revision 1. www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/
testmethods/sw846/pdfs/8330a.pdf
EPA. 2008. "Drinking Water Health Advisory for
2,4-Dinitrotoluene and 2,6-Dinitrotoluene." EPA
822-R-08-010.
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg determine2/hea
Ithadvisory cc!2-reg2 dinitrotoluenes.pdf
EPA. 2011. Reportable Quantities of Hazardous
Substances designated pursuant to Section 311 of
the Clean Water Act. Code of Federal Regulations
40 CFR 302.4.
EPA. 2012a. "2012 Edition of the Drinking Water
Standards and Health Advisories." EPA 822-S-12-
001. water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/
upload/dwstandards2012.pdf
EPA. 2012b. "EPA Federal Forum Issue Paper:
Site Characterization for Munitions Constituents."
EPA-505-S-11-001. www.epa.gov/fedfac/pdf/site
characterization  for munitions constituents.pdf
EPA. 2013a. "Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity
Values for_2,6-Dinitrotoluene." Superfund Health
Risk Technical Support Center.
EPA. 2013b. "Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity
Values for Technical Grade Dinitrotoluene."
Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center.
EPA. 2013c.  Regional Screening Level (RSL)
Summary Table.
www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rb-
concentration table/Generic Tables/index.htm

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 Technical Fact Sheet - DNT
Where can I find more information about DNT? (continued)
•:«  EPA. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
    1990. "2,4-/2,6-Dinitrotoluene mixture."
    www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0397.htm
*  EPA. IRIS. 1993. "2,4-Dinitrotoluene."
    www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0524.htm
»>  EPA. Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
    (OGWDW). 2008. "Regulatory Determinations
    Support Document from the Second Drinking
    Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 2).
    Chapter?: 2,4- and 2,6-Dinitrotoluene." EPA 815-
    R-08-012. www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/pdfs/
    reg determine2/report cc!2-reg2 support
    document ch07 2426dnt.pdf

Contact Information
EPA. Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). 2011. TRI
Data and Tools, www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/index.html
Wang, Z.Y., Ye, Z.F., and M.H. Zhang. 2011.
"Bioremediation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) in
Immobilized Micro-Organism Biological Filter.
Journal of Applied Microbiology." Volume 110.
Pages 1476 to 1484.
Xu, J. and N. Jing. 2012. "Effects of 2,4-
Dinitrotoluene Exposure on Enzyme Activity,
Energy Reserves and Condition Factors in
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpid)." Journal of
Hazardous Materials. Volume 203 to 204. Pages
299 to 307.
If you have any questions or comments on this fact sheet, please contact:  Mary Cooke, FFRRO, by phone at
(703) 603-8712 or by email at cooke.maryt@epa.gov.
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