5S3S2.] % mfT Mi FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonyms: • PC P. Penta: Pentachlorohydroxybenzene • Trade Names: Chlorophen: Dowicide-7; Sontophen-20; Penfacon; Penwar, etc. Chemical Description: • Synthetic organic chemical produced commercially by the chiorination of phenol or polychlorophenols Properties: • Light-brown solid (beads or flakes) • Slightly water soluble, but its sodium and potassium salts are very soluble in water • low vapor pressure • Heavier than water • Commercial preparations may contain varying concentrations of highly toxic substances, such as dioxins Production and Us#: • POP and its sodium salt are commonly used pesticides in the U.S. • used as a wood preservative • prior to 1987, when EPA banned all non- wood uses, it was used as a wide-spectrum fungicide and bactericide, and as a preservative in glues, starches, and photographic papers ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • identified at low levels in ground and surface waters and in one survey of surface drinking water supplies Releases: • PCP may enter the environment from treated wood, industrial discharges, municipal waste treatment plant discharges, spills, or agricultural runoff Environmental Fate: • Released to soli: will be persistent in soil; not likely to volatilize or be leached; biodegrada- tion by microbial action is the major route of removal from soils; will adsorb to sediment in acidic soils (low mobility), but will be likely to leach (will toe mobile) and mav migrate to ground wafers in neutral to alkaline soils • Released to surface water non-Ders;s*ent m surface water; may volatilize to the atmosphere, where it is subject to washout; photodegradation and biodegradation fcv microbial action are the primary removal mechanisms, although biodegradation requires acclimated organisms « High potential for bioaccumulation HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: • Case studies of occupational exposure demonstrate such effects as profuse sweating, often accompanied by fever, weight loss, and gastrointestinal irritation; liver and kidney functions are also impaired, but appear to be reversible once exposure ceases Experimental Animals: • Acute exposure to PCP causes adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects which progress from respiratory disorder to coma and death « Chronic exposure studies indicate adverse effects upon functions of the liver and kidney and immune system • Has fetotoxic potential, as seen by delayed ossification of offspring's skeletal system • Equivocal evidence of mutagenicity • High carcinogenic potential REGULATORY PROFILE Existing Standards: •Clean Air Act (CAA): Regulated •Clean Water Act (CWA). Criteria established •Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Hazardous waste •Supetfund (CERCLA): •Hazardous substance •SARA: Toxic chemical •Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, arid Rodenflctde Act (FIFRA): Registered •Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Not regulated ------- HEALTH INFORMATION WATER TREATMENT Maximum Contaminant Levef 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 zero mg/l to protect against cancer MCLG for Pentachlorophenot = Zero mg/l (affective July 1992) Maximum Contaminant levels (MCL); * legally enforceable levels for contaminants in oublic drinking wafer supplies * Based on health risks associated with the contaminants, analytical methods for their assay, and water treatment feasibility and practicality aspects * Exceedance of the MCL in drinking wafer 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 Pentachlorophenol = 0,001 mg/l (effective July 1992) EPA Health Advisories (HA): * Short-term HAt: Provide acceptable concentrations of contaminants in wafer 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 Health AcMtorte«: Permanent Treatment: • lest Available Technology (BAT): • Granular Activated Carbon 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, Natural Resources, or Agriculture may also be of help • The EPA has toll-free numbers for further information on drinking wafer 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 Act, call (202) 554-1404 • For information on the Clean Air Act, call (919) 541-2777 Short-term HA for a child = 0.3 mg/l Longer-term HA for a child = 0.3 mg/L Longer-term HA for an adult = 1 mg/l ANALYTICAL METHODS • Liauid-Solid Extraction and Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry EPA Method 525 • Gas Chromatography with an Electron Capture Detector EPA Method 515.1 ------- |