Consumer Factsheet on:
1,2-DICHLOROPROPANE
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-DCP and how is it used?
1,2-Dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) is a colorless
organic liquid with a chloroform-like odor. The
greatest use of 1,2-dichloropropane is in making
other organic chemicals. It is also used in making
lead-free gasoline, paper coating, soil fumigant
for nematodes, and insecticide for stored grain.
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:
Propylene dichloride
Nematox
Vidden D
Dowfume EB-5
Why is 1,2-DCP 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-DCP 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-DCP to potentially
cause the following health effects when people are
exposed to it at levels above the MCL for
relatively short periods of time: damage to the
liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, and the
gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
Long-term: 1,2-DCP has the potential to cause the
following effects from a lifetime exposure at
levels above the MCL: the liver, kidneys, bladder,
gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract;
cancer.
How much 1,2-DCP is produced and released
to the environment?
Production of 1,2-DCP has decreased greatly since
a 1980 report of 77 million lbs. Dow Chemical, the
only listed producer, discontinued its production
in 1991. It may be released into the atmosphere or
in wastewater during its production or use as an
intermediate in chemical manufacture. There were
also significant releases during its former use as
a soil fumigant. It may also leach from municipal
landfills.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic
Chemical Release Inventory, 1,2-dichloropropane
releases to land and water totalled nearly 104,000
lbs. These releases were primarily from chemical
industries. The largest releases occurred in New
York.
What happens to 1,2-DCP when it is
released to the environment?
1,2-DCP released to soil will largely evaporate.
However, it has been detected in groundwater.
Releases to surface water will also evaporate, and
are not likely to accumulate in aquatic life.
How will 1,2-DCP be Detected in and
Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for 1,2-DCP became effective in
1992. 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-DCP 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-DCP so
that it is consistently below that level. The
following treatment methods have been approved by
EPA for removing 1,2-DCP: Granular activated
charcoal in combination with Packed Tower
Aeration.
How will I know if 1,2-DCP is in my
drinking water?
If the levels of 1,2-DCP 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 ppm
1,2-DCP Releases to Water and Land, 1987
to 1993 (in pounds):
Water Land TOTALS (in pounds)
98,504 5,470
Top Five States
State
|
Water
|
Land
|
| NY |
30,000
|
3,205 |
| LA |
25,586
|
260 |
| VA |
14,629
|
250 |
| TX |
12,290
|
1,206 |
| NJ |
10,463
|
0 |
Major Industries
|
Water
|
Land
|
| Alkalies, chlorine |
37,297
|
1,216 |
| Photographic equip. |
30,000
|
3,205 |
| Gum, wood chemicals |
14,629
|
250 |
| Plastics, resins |
10,463
|
0 |
| Misc. Indust. Organics
|
4,793 |
250 |
* 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
|