2,4- FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonymt: • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxvacetic acid • Trade names (more than 1500 products): Agrotect; Amidox; Amoxone. Aqua Kleen; Barwelf; Dincxoi; Esfone; Herbidal; Hormatox. Phenox; Salvo; Tfibuton; Weedone. Weed-B- Gon; Weed-No-More; Transamine; Miracle Chemical Description: • Chlorinated hydrocarbon herbicide applied as an acid and as various esters and amine salts of the acid compound Properties: • White, crystalline powder at room temperature • Slightly soluble in water • Low vapor pressure Production and Use: • Used chiefly as an herbicide to control grasses and broadleaf weeds in numerous crops; also used in non-crop sites (industrial and home/garden settings) to control perennial weeds and grasses • Used primarily on wheat, corn, rangeland/ pastures, sorghum, barley, and lawns; generality applied after plant emergence by aerial spray or ground equipment » Approved for use in and around water (lakes, ponds, estuaries, drainage ditches, etc.) ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • Infrequent contaminant of drinking water supplies, with greater potential for contam- ination of surface waters than ground waters • Has not been reported to occur above the MCI in ground water or surface wafer derived drinking water supplies Releases: • Enters surface water as a result of runoff from treated soil or direct application to water » May enter ground water from direct entry info a well through accidental chemical spills or improper storage near a "well Environmental Fate: » Non-persistent in the environment: • will biodegrade (major removal process) with almost complete biodegradation in soil and surface water within 2 to 8 weeks • metabolized by plants • readiiy degraded by soil bacteria • will not volatilize from either soil or wafer • mobile in soil, but rate is dependant upon soil type (will only adsorb to certain soils); may migrate to ground water • susceptible to phofodegradation • subject to wash-out by rain from the atmosphere • low potential for bioaccumulation HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: •' Cases of human exposure indicate that 2,4-D causes damage to the nervous system Experimental Animals: • limited animal data, but both acute and chronic studies indicate that 2,4-D has adverse effects upon functions of the nervous system, liver, and kidneys • Has fetotoxic effects, but is only weakly teratogenic or nonteratogenic » Equivocal evidence of mutagenic potential • Little data on 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 iodenttcide Act (FIFRA): Registered •Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Regulated" ------- HEALTH INFORMATION ANALYTICAL METHODS Maximum Contaminant level Goals (MCIG): • Non-enforceable levels based solely on an evaluation of possible health risks and exposure, and taking info consideration a margin for public safety • Set at 0.07 mg/l to protect against damage to fhe liver, kidneys, and nervous system MCLG for 2.4-D * 0.07 mg/l (effective July 1992) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL): • Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in public drinking wafer supplies • Based on health risks associated with the contaminants, analytical methods for their assay, and water treatment feasibility and practicality aspects • Exceedance of the MCL 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 • Current MCL = 0,1 mg/L MCL for 2.4-D = 0.07 mg/L (effective July 1992) EPA Health Advlsoriet (HA): • Short-term HAi: Provide acceptable concentrations of contaminants in wafer for up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate fhe public health risk resulting from an accidental spill or an emergency contamination situation • Longer-term HA$: Provide guidance tor persistent water contamination situations to cover a period of up to 7 years • Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way as an MCIG • Gas Chromatography with an Electron Capture Detector EPA Method 515.1 WATER TREATMENT Permanent Treatment: • Beit Available Technology (SAT): • Granular Activated Carbon SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION • If the drinking wafer standards are exceeded, install IAT 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 fhe state Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, or Agriculture may also be of help » The EPA has toll-free numbers for further information on drinking water quality, 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 fhe Toxic Substances Control Act, call (202) 554-1404 • For information on the Clean Air Act, call (919) 541-2777 Hecrith Advisories: Short-term HA for a child = 0,3 mg/l Longer-term HA for a child » Insufficient data to calculate Longer-term HA for an adult = Insufficient data to calculate Lifetime HA = 0.07 mg/L ------- |