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

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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

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