Consumer Factsheet on: CHLOROBENZENE
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 Chlorobenzene and how is it used?
Chlorobenzene is a colorless organic liquid with a faint,
almond-like odor. The greatest use of chlorobenzene is in the
manufacture of other organic chemicals, dyestuffs and insecticides.
It is also a solvent for adhesives, drugs, rubber, paints and
dry-cleaning, and as a fiber-swelling agent in textile processing.
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:
Benzene chloride
Chlorbenzol
Monochlorobenzene
Phenyl chloride
IP Carrier T 40
Tetrosin SP
Why is Chlorobenzene 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 chlorobenzene has been set at 0.1 parts per million
(ppm) 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 0.1 ppm 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 chlorobenzene to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels
above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: anesthetic
effects and impaired liver and kidney function.
Long-term: Chlorobenzene has the potential to cause the following
effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver,
kidney and central nervous system damage.
How much Chlorobenzene is produced and released to the environment?
Production of chlorobenzene in 1988 was 270 million pounds, and was
expected to decrease. Major environmental releases of chlorobenzene
are due to its use as a solvent in pesticides.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release
Inventory, chlorobenzene releases to water totalled over 326,000
lbs. Releases to land totalled nearly 37,000 lbs. These releases
were primarily from alkali and chlorine industries which use
chlorobenzene in chlorination processes. Most of these releases
occurred in West Virginia.
What happens to Chlorobenzene when it is released to the
environment?
Releases into water and onto land will either evaporate or be
slowly degraded by microbes in the soil or water. Since it does not
bind to soils, it can be expected to leach into the groundwater.
Little accumulation is expected in fish and food products.
How will Chlorobenzene be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking
Water?
The regulation for chlorobenzene 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
chlorobenzene 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
chlorobenzene so that it is consistently below that level. The
following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing
chlorobenzene: Granular activated charcoal in combination with
Packed Tower Aeration.
How will I know if Chlorobenzene is in my drinking water?
If the levels of chlorobenzene exceed the MCL, 0.1 ppm, 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: 0.1 ppm
Mcl: 0.1 ppm
Chlorobenzene Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
| Water | Land |
TOTALS (in pounds) | 326,017 | 36,910 |
Top Five States * |
---|
WV | 262,653 | 263
|
OH | 20,598 | 12,500
|
NJ | 13,710 | 13,261
|
LA | 16,460 | 265
|
SC | 1,401 | 5,939
|
Major Industries |
---|
Alkalis, chlorine | 261,058 | 67
|
Plastics, resins | 23,756 | 13,312
|
Cyclic crudes, dyes | 21,657 | 6,637
|
Indus. organics | 13,460 | 9,375
|
Gum, wood chems | 0 | 4,909
|
* 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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