| Agent Name |
Ethylene dibromide |
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| Alternative Name |
1,2-Dibromoethane |
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| CAS Number |
106-93-4 |
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| Formula |
C2-H4-Br2 |
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| Major Category |
Pesticides |
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| Synonyms |
Ethylene bromide; Glycol dibromide; 1,2-Dibromoethane; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Fumigants |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid or solid (below 50 degrees F) with a sweet odor. [fumigant] [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a fumigant, a solvent, a scavenger for lead in leaded gasoline, and an intermediate in organic synthesis; no longer used in the United States as a soil or grain fumigant; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
In acute exposure studies in animals, ethylene dibromide is more toxic than a comparable dose of ethylene dichloride or carbon tetrachloride. It causes narcosis, respiratory irritation, kidney damage, and liver injury. [ACGIH] Strong positive data that ethylene dibromide can cause testicular damage in humans; [Frazier, p. 194] |
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| Restricted |
Use as fumigant suspended by EPA due to toxicity and ground water contamination. [Sullivan, p. 1053] |
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| Reference Link |
EXTOXNET - Ethylene Dibromide |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
20 ppm, Ceiling(OSHA) = 30 ppm (50 ppm for 5-min peak per 8-hour shift) |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
100 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Exposures above 100 ppm for an hour or less or by longer exposures at lower concentrations (e.g., 75 ppm) have resulted in gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, and respiratory involvement [Ott et al. 1980]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
12 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 1,831 ppm/30 min |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Carcinogen--No TLV; |
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| Half Life |
Whole body (animal studies): less than 72 hours; [TDR, p. 640] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Ethylene dibromide |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Primary |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Probable Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE
|
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