DIBROMOCHLOROPROPANE
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FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonyrm:
•	DBCP; 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane
•	Trade Names: Nemagon; Fumazone;
Nemafume; Nemaset; BBC12; OS-1897;
Nemanex; Nemanex; Oxy DBCP, etc.
Chemical Description:
•	Organic chemical used as a pesticide
Properties:
•	Amber colored liauid with a pungent odor
•	Slightly soluble in water
•	Low vapor pressure
Production and Use:
•	Used as a soil fumigant for nematode control
before 1979 when EPA cancelled all uses
except on pineapple fields in Hawaii
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Occurrence:
•	Results of EPA's 1990 National Pesticide Survey
(NPS) indicate that DBCP was present above
the MCL of 0.0002 mg/L in rural domestic wells
nationwiae, but was not found in Community
Water System (CWS) wells
Releases:
•	Because DBCP is applied by subsurface
injection, the potential for migration and
contamination of ground water is high
•	May enter ground water from direct entry into
a well through accidental chemical spills or
improper storage near a well
Environmental Fate:
•	Highly persistent In the environment:
•	will volatilize rapidly from the soil surface and
from surface waters (major route of removal
in both media)
•	will degrade slowly in soil by microbial action
and hydrolysis (shown to persist in soils for
more than two years)
•	highly mobile in soil (low adsorbtion to soil)
with a high potential for migration to
groundwater and is more likely to be present
in ground water than surface water
•	May have potential for bioaccumulation
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
•	No case studies of acute exposure, but
chronic exposure caused reduced sperm
production in male chemical plant and
agricultural workers
Experimental Animals:
•	Short-term, high-dose studies indicate that
DBCP exposure causes detrimental effects
upon functions of the liver, kidneys, and testes
•	primary effects are impaired function and
degeneration of liver and kidneys, as well as
decreased spermatogenesis and degenera-
tion of the testes and seminiferous tubules
•	Long-term, high-dose studies indicate effects
similar to those of short-term exposure
•	additional effects include occurrence of
stomach nodules, lesions of the kidneys,
nasal cavity, and upper respiratory system,
and increased mortality
•	Causes reduced sperm counts in males, (may
be due to the fact that epichlorohydnn is a
major metabolite of DBCP in mammals) but
recovery of normal sperm counts is expected
once exposure ceases
•	Eguivocal evidence of mutagenicity
•	High fetotoxic and 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
Rodenffclde Act (FIFRA):
Registered
•Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):
Regulated

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HEALTH INFORMATION
WATER TREATMENT
Maximum Contaminant Laval Goals (MCLG):
•	Non-enforceabie levels based solely 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 Dibromochloropropane = Zero mg/L
(affective July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):
•	Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
puPlic drinking water supplies
•	Based on health risks associated witn 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
MCL for Dlbromochloropropane = 0.0002 mg/L
(effective July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories (HA):
•	Short-term HAs: Provide acceptable
concentrations of contaminants in water 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 water contamination situations to
cover a period of up to 7 years
•	Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way as an
MCLG
Heatth Advisories:
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 Pottled water
ADDITIONAL HELP
•	State or county health officials can indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
•	Experts in the 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 Water	800-426-4791
•National Pesticides:	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
Short-term HA for a child = 0.02 mg/L
Longer-term HA for a child =
Not recommended
Longer-term HA for an adult =
Not recommended
Lifetime HA = Not recommended
ANALYTICAL METHODS
• Microextraction and Gas Chromatography
EPA Method 504

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