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FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonymi;
« 1,2-DCP; Propylene Dtchloride
Chemical Description:
•	A volatile synthetic compound with no natural
sources
Properties:
•	A clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a
chloroform-like odor
•	Low vapor pressure
•	Highly soluble in water
Production and Use:
•	Used as:
•	component of soil fumigants (insecticides)
•	solvent for oils and fats
•	an intermediate in chemical manufacturing
•	in dry cleaning and degreasing operations
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Occurrence:
•	A low-level contaminant of both ground and
surface waters due to its use as a soil fumigant
•	A contaminant in urban air at low levels, and
has been reported as a contaminant in fish
» May enter wells near sites where it has been
used as a soil fumigant
Releases:
•	Major releases to the environment are mainly
to soil and air due its use as a soil fumigant
Environmental Fate:
•	Released to toll: persistent in soil; will volatilize
rapidly to air (major removal mechanism);
mobile in soils and will migrate to ground
water, especially in sandy soils; resistant to
biodegradaton; wiii chemically degrade slowly
•	Released to surface water: will volatilize raptdiy
to air (major removal mechanism), cnemicaity
stable in water; resistant to bioaegradation
•	Released to the atmosphere: will chemically
degrade moderately rapidly; subject to wasn-
out by rain
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
•	No adequate information available on the
toxicity of 1,2-DCP in humans
Experimental Animals:
•	Both short-term and long-term, high-dose
studies indicate that if causes detrimental
effects upon functions of the liver, kianev,
adrenal glands, bladder, and gastrointestinal
and respiratory tracts
•	High fetotoxic and teratogenic potential
•	High mutugenic potential
« High carcinogenic potential
REGULATORY PROFILE
Existing Standards:
•Clean Air Act (CAA): Not regulated
•Clean Water Act CWA):
No criteria established
•Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA):
Hazardous waste
¦Superfund (CERCLA):
•Hazardous substance
•SARA: Toxic chemical
•Federal insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticlde Act (FIFRA):
Registered
•Toxic Substances Control Act (T5CA):
Regulated

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HEALTH INFORMATION
Maximum Contaminant level Goals (MCLG):
•	Non-enforceable levels based soiely on an
evaluation of possible health risks and
exposure, and taking into consideration a
margin for public safety
•	Set at zero mg/l to protect against cancer
MCLG for 1,2-DCP = Zero mg/l
(effective July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant level* (MCI):
•	Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
public drinking water supplies
» Based on health risks associated with the
contaminants, analytical methods for their
assay, and wafer treatment feasibility and
practicality aspects
•	Exceedance of the MCI in drinking water may
result in adverse effects which will depend
upon the contaminant concentration in water,
amount of water/contaminant ingested,
length of exposure, and other biological
parameters
MCI for 1,2-DCP = 0.005 mg/l
(effective July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories (HA):
•	Short-term HAs: Provide acceptable
concentrations of contaminants in wafer for
up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate
the public health risk resulting from an
accidental spill or an emergency
contamination situation
•	Longer-term HAs: Provide guidance for
persistent wafer contamination situations to
cover a period of up to 7 years
•	Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way as an
MCLG
Health Advisories:
Short-term HA for a child = 0.09 mg/l
longer-term HA for a child =
Not recommended
longer-t*fm HA for an adult =
Not recommended
Lifetime HA » Not recommended
ANALYTICAL METHODS
•	Purge and Trap Column Gas Chromatog'so- *
with Photoiomzation arid Elecfrctvfc
Conductivity Defectors in Series;
EPA Method 502.2
» Purged Column Gas Chromatography/ Mass
Spectrometry:
EPA Method 524.1
•	Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry:
EPA Method 524.2
WATER TREATMENT
Permanent Treatment:
•	Best Available Technology (BAT):
•	Granular Activated Carbon
•	Packed Tower Aeration
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
•	If the drinking water standards are exceeded,
install BAT or use an alternative drinking water
supply such as bottled water
ADDITIONAL HELP
•	State or county health officials can indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
•	Experts in the state Department of
Environmental Protection or Natural Resources
may also be of help
•	The EPA has toll-free numbers for further
information on drinking water guaiity.
treatment technologies, for obtaining Health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
•	EPA Hotlines are available Monday through
Friday
•Safe Drinking Wafer,	800-426-4791
•National Pesticide*:	800-858-7378
•Superfund/RCRA:	800-424-9346
•	For information on the Clean Water Act, call
(202) 260-7301
•	For information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act, call (202) 554-1404
•	For information on the Clean Air Act, call
(919) 541-2777
• Purge and Trap Gas Chromatography:
EPA Method 502.1
EPA Method 503,1

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