FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonyms: • El; Phenyl Ethane; Ethylbenzol Chemical Description: • A volatile synthetic compound produced commercially by the alkylation of benzene with ethylene Properties: • Aromatic, clear, flammable liquid • Moderately soluble in water • Very soluble in organic solvents • Low vapor pressure Production and Use: • Uses include: •major component in gasoline •manufacture of styrene and acetophenone •solvent •asphalt and naphtha constituent • Also present in mixed xylenes used in agricultural insecticide sprays ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • An infrequent contaminant of both surface and ground waters Releases: • Releases to the environment are widespread and occur as a result of exhaust connected with its use in gasoline; also released through emissions, wastewater, and spills from its production and industrial use Environmental Fate: • Released t© soil; will rapidly evaporate to air; moderate adsorption to soil, and likely to migrate to ground water (especially in sort with low organic content) • Released to air; will chemically degrade rapidly; subject to wash-out by rain • Released to surface water w:ii -ao-c'v evaporate to air; will be removea by adsorption to sediment; fairly rapid bio- degradation; once in ground water, it will have limited mobility, and be persistent due to slow evaporation and biodegradation rates • High potential for bioaccumulation, espec-a ily in fish and other aquatic organisms HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: • Short-term, inhalation study showed effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, headache, and mild eye and respiratory irritation Experimental Animals: • Although there is a general lack of data cn the toxic effects of ethylbenzene. toxic e"ec*s have been observed predominantly >n *^e liver, kidney, central nervous system (CMS) and eyes • Low acute toxicity • • Non-mutagenic • Inadequate data on carcinogenic potential REGULATORY PROFILE Existing Standards: •Clean Air Act (CAA): Regulated •Clean Water Act CWA): Criteria established •Resource Coniarvation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Not regulated •Superfund (CERCLA): •Haiardous substance - •SARA: Toxic chemical •Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticlde Act (FIFRA): Not registered •Toxic Substances Control Act (T5CA): 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, kidneys, and nervous system MCLG for Ethylbenzene = 0.7 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 their assay, and water 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 MCL for Ethylbenzene = 0,? 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 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 chHd = 3.2 mg/L Longer-term HA for a child = 0.97 mg/L Longer-term HA for an adutt = 0.97 mg/L Lifetime HA = 0.68 mg/L • Purge and Trap Column Gas Cnromatogfccr v with Photoioniiation and Eiectro v": 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 TREATMENT Permanent Treatment: • lett Available Technology (BAT): * Granular Activated Carbon • Packed Tower Aeration SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION » If the drinking wafer standards are exceeded, install BAT or use an alternative drinking water supply such as bottled wafer 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 wafer qualify, 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 Act, call (202) 554-1404 • For information on the Clean Air Act, call (919) 541-2777 ANALYTICAL METHODS . • Purge and Trap Gas Chromatography: EPA Method 502.1 EPA Method 503.1 ------- |