cis-V-DICHLOROETHYLENE FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonym* • 1.2-DCE; cis-l.2-DCE. 1,2-DichIoroethene; Acetylene Dichloride; sym-Dichioroethylene Chemical Description: • A volatile synthetic compound with no known natural sources • Usually found in the form of a mixture of both the cis- and trans- isomers (cis-l ,2-DCE and trans-1,2-DCE) Properties: • a clear, colorless, flammable liquid » Relatively high vapor pressure • Moderately soluble in water Production and Uie: « Used primarily as a captive intermediate in the production of other chlorinated solvents, and as an extraction solvent for meat and fish oils and fats ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • Major source of exposure is from contaminated water except in areas near production sites where atr exposures may dominate • Monitoring studies have found that both the cis- and trans- isomers occur as widespread low level contaminants of ground wafer, and occur in surface wafers at even lower amounts • The cis- isomer is reported to occur in drinking water at higher levels than the trans- isomer » Co-occurs with trichloroethylene • Both isomers (especially the cis- isomer) have been identified as degradation products of trichloroethylene and tefrachloroethylene Releaser • Releases to the environment are expected to be small, with the majority of releases emanating from manufacturing plants in the Gulf Region of the U.S Environmental Fate: • Little direct information, but the behavior c-f the compounds has been extrapolated from information on similar chlorinated compounds: • Released to the atmosphere: expected 'o chemically degrade in a matter of hours • Released to surface waters: slightly ds's s-e<--* in water; expected to volatilize rapidly to air (major route of removal); chemically stable in water, but may biodegrade to vinyl chloride in some ground waters; not likely adsorb to suspended solids or sediment • Released to soil: will not adsorb strongly to soils {moderately mobile in soi(s) with moderate potential to migrate to ground waters; will volatilize to the atmosphere from soil surface • Low potential for bioaccumulation HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: • At high concentrations, the dichtoroethyienes. like other chlorinated ethylenes, possess anesthetic properties • The trans- isomer is approximately twice as potent as the cis- isomer in its ability to depress the central nervous system (CNS) • cis-l,2-DCE was once used as a surgical anesthetic Experimental Animals: • Short-term, high doses have general anestnetic and narcotic effects, and detrimental effects upon liver functions « Long-term, high doses cause deceased :r~- consumption, alterations in hematccf" e.es and detrimental effects upon functions c* '-e liver and circulatory system » Non-mutagenic • No information found in the available iite'c*--- on the teratogenic, fefotoxic, or carcmcge- ; potential of cts-1.2-DCE ------- REGULATORY PROFILE Health Aavsones Existing Standards: ~ Clean Air Act (CAA): Not regulated •Clean Water Act CWA): No criteria established •Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Not regulated •Superfund (CERCLA): •Hazardous substance •SARA; Hazardous substance •Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (F1FRA): Not registered •foxlc Substance* Control Acf (TSCA): Not regulated HEALTH INFORMATION Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG): • Non-enforceable levels based solely on an evaluation of possible health risks and exposure, and taking into consideration a margin for public safety • Set at 0.7 mg/L to protect against damage to the liver, and circulatory and nervous systems MCLG for clt-l,2-DCE = 0.07 mg/L (effective July 1992) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL): • Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in public drinking water supplies • Based on health risks associated with the contaminants, analytical methods for fheir 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 MCL for ct«-l,2-DCE » §,0? mg/L {effective July 19§2) EPA Hearth 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 art- accidental spill or an emergency contamination situation • Longer-term HA*: Provide guidance for persistent water contamination situations to cover a period of up to 7 years • Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way as an MCLG Short-term HA for a child = 3.2 mg/L Longer-term HA for a child = 3.2 mg/L Longer-term HA for an adult = 11.2 mg/L Lifetime HA = 0.07 mg/L ANALYTICAL METHODS • Purge and Trap Gas Chromatography; EPA Method 502.1 EPA Method 503.1 • Purge and Trap Column Gas Chromatography with Phofoionization and Electrolytic Conductivity Detectors 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 HE ATM INT Permanent Treatment: • lest 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 quality, treatment technologies, for obtaining Health Advisories, and for other regulatory information • EPA Hotlines are available Monday through Friday • Safe Drinking Water 800-426-4791 •National Pesticides: 800-858-7378 • Superfund/ RCRA: 800-424-9346 • For information on the Clean Wafer .Act, call (202) 260-7301 • For information on the Toxic Substances Control Acf, call (202) 554-1404 • For information on the Clean Air Act, call (919) 541-2777 ------- |