Consumer Factsheet on: EPICHLOROHYDRIN
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 Epichlorohydrin and how is it used?
Epichlorohydrin is a colorless organic liquid with a pungent,
garlic-like odor. The greatest use of epichlorohydrin is used to
make glycerin and as a building block in making plastics and other
polymers, some of which are used in water supply systems. It is
also used in the paper and drug industries and as an insect
fumigant.
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:
Chloromethyl-ethylene oxide
Chloromethyl-oxirane
Glycidyl chloride
Why is Epichlorohydrin 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 epichlorohydrin has been set at zero because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the
potential health problems described below.
There are currently no acceptable means of detecting
epichlorohydrin in drinking water. In this case, EPA is requiring
water suppliers to use a special treatment technique to control its
amount in water. Since epichlorohydrin is used in drinking water
treatment processes, it is being controlled simply by limiting its
use for this purpose.
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 epichlorohydrin to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels
above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: skin
irritation; detrimental effects on liver, kidneys, central nervous
system.
Long-term: Epichlorohydrin has the potential to cause the following
effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: stomach,
eye and skin irritation; chromosome aberrations; adverse changes in
blood; cancer.
How much Epichlorohydrin is produced and released to the
environment?
Production and imports of epichlorohydrin in the mid-1980s totalled
511 million lbs. The main source of concern for epichlorohydrin in
drinking water is from its use as a clarifier during water
treatment. When added to water, it coagulates and traps suspended
solids for easier removal. However, some epichlorohydrin may not
coagulate and may remain in the water as a contaminant.
What happens to Epichlorohydrin when it is released to the
environment?
Epichlorohydrin readily evaporates from near-surface soils and
surface waters. It will not bind to sediments in water bodies. If
spilled on land, it may leach into the groundwater but it is easily
broken down by a number of chemical reactions. It will not
accumulate in aquatic life.
How will Epichlorohydrin be Detected in and Removed from My
Drinking Water?
The regulation for epichlorohydrin became effective in 1992. EPA
requires your water supplier to show that when epichlorohydrin is
added to water, the amount of uncoagulated epichlorohydrin is less
than 2 ppb.
How will I know if Epichlorohydrin is in my drinking water?
If the treatment technique for epichlorohydrin fails, 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: Treatment Technique
Epichlorohydrin Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in
pounds):
| Water | Land |
TOTALS (in pounds) | 42,705 | 22,849 |
Top Five States |
---|
AL | 29,385 | 18,476
|
LA | 6,924 | 2,663
|
NJ | 2,164 | 16
|
TX | 200 | 1,396
|
AR | 1,594 | 0
|
Major Industries |
---|
Industrial organics | 25,137 | 14,941
|
Plastics and resins | 6,392 | 2,509
|
Industrial inorganics | 4,200 | 1,600
|
Agricultural chemicals | 2,207 | 1,532
|
Alkalis, chlorine | 2,100 | 1,033
|
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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