^tosr% m X FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonyms. » Vinyl Benzene; Cinnamene; Phenylethylene. Ethenylbenzene Chemical Description: • Aromatic, colorless to yellowish oily liquid derived from the dehydrogenation of ethyitoenzene Propwrtta: • Slightly soluble in water • Soluble in organic solvents • Moderate to low vapor pressure Production and Us«: • Used in the manufacture of styrene plasties, synthetic rubber, insulators, resins, polyesters, and pharmaceuticals ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • National drinking water surveys indicate that styrene is an infrequent contaminant; however, State programs have reported the occasional contamination of drinking water by styrene Releases: • May enter the environment through industrial discharges, municipal waste treatment plant discharges, and spills Environmental Fat®: • Released to soils: subject to biodegradation; may exhibit low to moderate soil mobility depending upon soil conditions, and can leach into underlying water • Released to surface water, volatilizes rapidly and will btodegrade; will adsorb to particulate matter and sediment « Released to the atmosphere; degrades rapidly; one of the most active generators of photochemical smog HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: • Inhalation experiments have shown such effects upon the central nervous system (CNS) as drowsiness, listlessness, altered sense of balance, loss of coordination and dexterity, increased reaction time, nasal and eye irritation, and slowed motor functions Experimental Animals: • Short-term, high-dose studies indicate that the acute toxicity of styrene is relatively low » Long-term, high-dose studies indicate that styrene is a liver toxin • Inconclusive studies on mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of styrene REGULATORY PROFILE Existing Standards: •Clean Air Act (CAA): Regulated •Clean Water Act (CWA): No criteria established •Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Not regulated •Superfund (CERCLA): •Hazardous substance •SARA: Toxic chemical •Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticlde Act (FIFRA): Not registered •Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): 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 0.1 mg/L to protect against damage to the liver and nervous system MCLG for Styrene = 0.1 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 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 Styrene = 0.1 mg/L (effective July 1992) EPA Health Advisories (HA): • Short-term HAs: Provide acceptaole 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 Hearth Advisories: Short-term HA for a child = 2.0 mg/L Longer-term HA for a child = 2.0 mg/L longer-term HA tor an adult = 7.0 mg/L Lifetime HA = 0.1 mg/L • Purge and Trap Column Gas Chroma*cgfacrv with Photoionizafion and Electro y*c Conductivity Defectors 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 Til ATM INT Permanent Treatment: • Best Available Technology (BAT): * Granular Activated Carbon * Packed Tower Aeration SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION • If the drinking water standaras are exceeded, install BAT or use an alternative drinking water supply such as bottled water ADDITIONAL HHP • 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 quanty 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. coil (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 ------- |