| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
106934
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| Synonyms | 1,2-Dibromoethane |
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Ethylene dibromide | EDB | Ethane, 1,2-dibromo- | Ethylene bromide |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 502.2 |
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EPA Method 504 |
EPA Method 524.1 |
EPA Method 524.2 |
EPA Method 618 |
EPA Method 8010B |
EPA Method 8011 |
EPA Method 8021A |
EPA Method 8240B |
EPA Method 8260A |
| Molecular Formula | C2H4Br2 |
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| Use | SRP: FORMER USE: TO SOME EXTENT AS CHEM INT & IN GAUGE FLUIDS
Catalyst for the initiation of reaction in the preparation of Grignard reagents.
CHEM INT FOR VINYL BROMIDE
Used as a solvent for resins, gums, and waxes and as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of
dyes and pharmaceuticals.
Fumigant, insecticide, nematicide. Former uses
Scavenger for lead in gasoline, general solvent, water proofing preparations, organic synthesis
.
In antiknock gasolines
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| Consumption Patterns | LEAD SCAVENGER, 83%; OTHER USES, 17% (1981)
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| Apparent Color | COLORLESS, HEAVY LIQUID
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| Odor | MILDLY SWEET; CHLOROFORM ODOR
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| Boiling Point | 131-132 DEG C
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| Melting Point | 9.8 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 187.88
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| Density | (Liquid) 2.172 g/ml
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| Odor Threshold Concentration | Low: 76.80 mg/cu m; High: 62.50 mg/cu m.
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| Sensitivity Data | It is an irritant to eyes, skin, & mucous membranes.
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| Environmental Impact | Ethylene dibromide (EDB) will enter the atmosphere primarily from fugitive emissions
and exhaust associated with its use as a scavenger in leaded gasoline. Another important but
localized source is emissions from fumigation centers for citrus, grain, etc and soil fumigation
operations. In the atmosphere, ethylene dibromide will degrade by reaction with photochemically
produced hydroxyl radicals (half life 32 days). When spilled in water, EDB, will be removed by
evaporation (half life 1-5 days). When spilled on land or applied to land during soil fumigation,
ethylene dibromide will exhibit low to moderate adsorption and has been found in groundwater.
Little bioconcentration into the food chain is expected. Humans are exposed to EDB from the air
especially in areas of high traffic. Another source of exposure is from ingesting fumigated food
(former use) which can contain ppm levels of EDB. With current restrictions on the use of leaded
gasoline and EDB fumigation, exposure to this substance should decrease.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: Biodegradation can be a primary degradation process in soil. A
review of available biodegradation data pertaining to ethylene bromide concluded that ethylene
bromide is biotransformed fairly readily in the environment ; lifetimes can be as short as several
days in surface soils and as long as many months in aquifer materials . Persistence can vary
greatly from soil to soil. In one laboratory screening study using 100 soils, half-lives ranging from
1.5 to 18 weeks were determined . In one field, ethylene bromide was detected in soil 19 years
after its last known application ; the long persistence was the result of entrapment in
intraparticle micropores of the soil . Low Koc values and detection in various ground waters
indicate that ethylene bromide will leach in soil. The relatively high vapor pressure (11.2
mm Hg ) indicates evaporation will occur from soil surfaces.
AQUATIC FATE: The primary removal process for ethylene bromide in surface water is
volatilization. Under normal conditions, the volatilization half-life from a typical river and lake are
about one day and 5 days, respectively(2,SRC). A review of available biodegradation data
pertaining to ethylene bromide concluded that ethylene bromide is biotransformed fairly readily in
the environment, although the rate of biodegradation can be slow (half-life in months) in aquifer
conditions . In ground waters (such as aquifers) where volatilization does not occur, ethylene
bromide can be degraded by biodegradation and hydrolysis. Uncatalyzed hydrolysis is slow
(half-life of 6 yr at 25 deg C ), but hydrolysis catalyzed by the presence of various natural
substances (such as HS ion) may be competitive with biodegradation (half-life in 1-2
months)(4,SRC).
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based upon a vapor pressure of 11.2 mm Hg at 25 deg C , ethylene
bromide is expected to exist primary in the vapor-phase in the ambient atmosphere(2,SRC).
Vapor-phase ethylene bromide will degrade in the ambient atmosphere by reaction with
photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (estimated half-life of 32 days) . Direct photolysis
is not expected to be im ortant.
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| Drinking Water Impact | DRINKING WATER: 3 drinking water wells in California and Hawaii 35-300 ppb .
The Netherlands 0.1 ppb max . GROUNDWATER: Identified not quantified in ground water in
New Jersey in a survey including 408 samples of well water . SURFACE WATER: stream near
oil refining and manufacturing 1.05-1.13 ppb . USA-14 heavily industrialized river basins 2 of
204 sites > 1 ppb(6). RAIN: Samples near fumigation center 1 ppb .
SEAWATER: Sampling conducted during August 1985 near the West African coast in the
Atlantic Ocean found an ethylene bromide conc of 0.08 ng/L .
EFFL: Oil refinery effluent < 0.2 ppb ; runoff water from area with several gasoline stations <
0.2 ppb ; runoff from fumigation center 2 ppb .
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