Consumer Factsheet on:
1,2-DICHLOROETHANE
List of
Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and
Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger
publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be
found in some public or private drinking water
supplies. It may cause health problems if found in
amounts greater than the health standard set by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
What is 1,2-DCA and how is it used?
1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) is a colorless,
oily, organic liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like
odor. The greatest use of 1,2-dichloroethane is in
making chemicals involved in plastics, rubber and
synthetic textile fibers. Other uses include: as a
solvent for resins and fats, photography,
photocopying, cosmetics, drugs; and as a fumigant
for grains and orchards.
The list of trade names given below may help you
find out whether you are using this chemical at
home or work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
1,2-Ethylene dichloride
Glycol dichloride
Freon 150
Borer sol
Brocide
Destruxol borer-sol
Dichlor-mulsion
Dutch oil
Granosan
Why is 1,2-DCA being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water
Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe
levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or
may cause health problems. These non-enforceable
levels, based solely on possible health risks and
exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level
Goals.
The MCLG for 1,2-dichloroethane has been set at
zero because EPA believes this level of protection
would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable
standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to
detect and remove contaminants using suitable
treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb)
because EPA believes, given present technology and
resources, this is the lowest level to which water
systems can reasonably be required to remove this
contaminant should it occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the
regulations for ensuring these standards are met,
are called National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations. All public water supplies must abide
by these regulations.
What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found 1,2-dichloroethane to
potentially cause the following health effects
when people are exposed to it at levels above the
MCL for relatively short periods of time: central
nervous system disorders, and adverse lung,
kidney, liver circulatory and gastrointestinal
effects.
Long-term: 1,2-Dichloroethane has the potential
to cause the following effects from a lifetime
exposure at levels above the MCL: cancer.
How much 1,2-DCA is produced and released
to the environment?
Production of 1,2-dichloroethane was 18 billion
lbs. in 1993. It is released in waste water,
spills, and/or improper disposal primarily from
its use as a cleaning solvent, in making other
organics, and in pesticides.
From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics
Release Inventory, releases to water and land
totalled over 455,000 lbs. These releases were
primarily from facilities which make industrial
organic chemicals, alkalis and chlorine. The
largest releases occurred in New Jersey and
Louisiana.
What happens to 1,2-DCA when it is
released to the environment?
While releases to water or soil will evaporate
quickly, 1,2-dichloroethane will also leach into
groundwater rapidly where it is likely to persist
for a very long time. There is little degradation
by microbes. 1,2-Dichloroethane is not expected to
accumulate in fish.
How will 1,2-DCA be Detected in and
Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for 1,2-dichloroethane became
effective in 1989. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA
required your water supplier to collect water
samples every 3 months for one year and analyze
them to find out if 1,2-dichloroethane is present
above 0.5 ppb. If it is present above this level,
the system must continue to monitor this
contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be
consistently above the MCL, your water supplier
must take steps to reduce the amount of
1,2-dichloroethane so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods
have been approved by EPA for removing
1,2-dichloroethane: Granular activated charcoal in
combination with Packed Tower Aeration.
How will I know if 1,2-DCA is in my
drinking water?
If the levels of 1,2-dichloroethane exceed the
MCL, 5 ppb, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional
actions, such as providing alternative drinking
water supplies, may be required to prevent serious
risks to public health.
Drinking Water Standards:
Mclg: zero
Mcl: 5 ppb
1,2-DCA Releases to Water and Land, 1987
to 1993 (in pounds):
Water Land TOTALS (in pounds) 433,056 22,616
Top Six States*
| NJ |
192,700
|
231 |
| LA |
136,508
|
2,292 |
| TX |
36,459
|
7,028 |
| MO |
6,786 |
8,730 |
| NY |
11,330
|
0 |
| KY |
10,309
|
0 |
Major Industries
| Industrial organics |
211,146
|
363 |
| Alkalies, chlorine |
120,283
|
3,254 |
| Cyclic crudes,
intermed. |
32,945
|
119 |
| Agricultural chemicals
|
11,918
|
8,980 |
| Industrial gases |
15,497
|
0 |
| Plastics materials,
resins |
6,908 |
6,895 |
| Photographic equip. |
11,566
|
0 |
| Other Chemicals |
8,179 |
0 |
| Pharmaceuticals |
7,525 |
521 |
| Petroleum refining |
1,730 |
1,479 |
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with
releases greater than a certain amount - usually
1000 to 10,000 lbs.
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more
about their drinking water, and to support local
efforts to protect and upgrade the supply of safe
drinking water. Your water bill or telephone books
government listings are a good starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of
the chemicals they test for in your water, as well
as how your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is
also a valuable source of information.
For help in locating these agencies or for
information on drinking water in general, call:
EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and
releases of chemicals in your state, contact the:
Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.
List of
Contaminants
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