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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

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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

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