Ethylene Dibromide

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This is a fact sheet 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 Ethylene Dibromide and how is it used?

Ethylene dibromide (EDB) is a colorless, heavy organic liquid with a mildly sweet chloroform-like odor. Ethylene dibromide is mainly used in anti-knock gasoline mixtures, particularly in aviation fuel. Other uses include: as a solvent for resins, gums, and waxes; in waterproofing preparations; in making dyes and drugs; and as a pesticide for grains and fruit.

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:

EDB
Glycol dibromide
Bromofume
Dowfume W 85
Aadibroom
Iscobrome-D
Nefis
Pestmaster
EDB-85
Soilbrom
Soilfume
Kopfume

Why is Ethylene Dibromide 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 EDB 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 0.05 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 EDB 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, stomach, and adrenal glands, along with significant reproductive system toxicity, particularly the testes.

Long-term: EDB has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to the respiratory system, nervous system, liver, heart, and kidneys; cancer.

How much Ethylene Dibromide is produced and released to the environment?

EDB is released during the use, storage, and transport of leaded gasoline, as well as during any spills; from its former use as a pesticide; wastewater and emissions from processes and waste waters of the chemical industries that use it.

From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics Release Inventory EDB releases to land and water totalled over 3,000 lbs. These releases were primarily from petroleum refineries. The largest of these releases occurred in California and Missouri.

What happens to Ethylene Dibromide when it is released to the environment?

When spilled on land or applied to land during soil fumigation, ethylene dibromide may leach to groundwater. Its persistence can vary greatly from soil to soil, from a few weeks to as much as 19 years.

EDB released to water will mainly evaporate. It can be degraded by microbes and chemical reaction in some types of groundwater. It does not tend to accumulate in aquatic life.

How will Ethylene Dibromide be detected in and removed from my drinking water?

Yhe regulation for EDB 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 EDB is present above 0.01 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 EDB so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing EDB: Granular activated charcoal.

How will I know if Ethylene Dibromide is in my drinking water?

If the levels of EDB exceed the MCL, 0.05 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.

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).

Drinking Water Standards:

Mclg: zero Mcl: 0.5 ppb (parts per billion)

Ethylene Dibromide Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):

Water Land TOTALS (in pounds) 2,554 2,670 Top Six States CA 500 n/a MS 500 n/a HI 750 n/a NJ 700 n/a TX 466 n/a PR 500 n/a Top Industrial Sources Petroleum refining 1,716 Industrial organic 700 chemicals, fertilizers n/a

Note: This fact sheet is part of a larger publication adapted from U.S. EPA publication: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.