DIBROMOCHLOROPROPANE 0^osr% i £5 lmj I*** 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 ------- 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 ------- |