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July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
1,2-Dichloropropane |
(1,2-Dicloropropano) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about 1,2-dichloropropane. For more
information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at
1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1,2-Dichloropropane is primarily used to make other chlorinated
chemicals. Exposure to high levels of 1,2-dichloropropane
can damage the liver, kidneys, blood, and lungs, and affect
the brain. It has been found at 26 of the 1,177 National
Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is 1,2-dichloropropane? |
1,2-Dichloropropane is a colorless, flammable
liquid with a chloroform-like odor. It is moderately soluble
in water and readily evaporates into air. It does not occur
naturally in the environment.
1,2-Dichloropropane production in the
United States has declined over the past 20 years. It was
used in the past as a soil fumigant, chemical intermediate,
and industrial solvent and was found in paint strippers, varnishes,
and furniture finish removers. Most of these uses were discontinued.
Today, almost all of the 1,2-dichloropropane is used as a
chemical intermediate to make perchloroethylene and several
other related chlorinated chemicals.
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What
happens to 1,2-dichloropropane when it enters the environment? |
- 1,2-Dichloropropane released to air can spread to areas
far from where it was released because it is not rapidly
broken down by reactions with other chemicals and sunlight.
- Most of the 1,2-dichloropropane in water will evaporate
to the air.
- When released to soil, it is not easily broken down by
bacteria, but will easily evaporate to the air and filter
into the groundwater.
- 1,2-Dichloropropane does not build up in the food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane? |
- Most people are not likely to be exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane
because of its limited use.
- If you work where 1,2-dichloropropane is made or used,
you could be exposed by breathing air that contains its
vapors or by spilling or splashing it on your skin.
- People who live near a waste site containing 1,2-dichloropropane
could be exposed by drinking contaminated groundwater, breathing
vapors released to the air, or getting contaminated soil
on their skin.
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How
can 1,2-dichloropropane affect my health? |
People who intentionally or accidentally
breathe high levels of 1,2-dichloropropane have experienced
difficulty breathing, coughing, vomiting, nosebleed, fatigue,
and damage to blood cells, liver, and kidneys. People who
accidentally drank cleaning solutions containing 1,2-dichloropropane
experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, liver and kidney
damage, anemia, coma, and death.
Animal studies indicate that breathing
low levels of 1,2-dichloropropane over short- or long-term
periods causes damage to the liver, kidney, and respiratory
system. Breathing high levels causes death. Similar effects
have been reported when animals were given 1,2-dichloropropane
by mouth. Some studies indicate that ingesting 1,2-dichloropropane
may cause reproductive effects. One study reported a delay
in bone formation of the skull in fetal rats following exposure
of the mother rats to 1,2-dichloropropane.
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How
likely is 1,2-dichloropropane to cause cancer? |
It is not known whether 1,2-dichloropropane
causes cancer in people. The carcinogenicity of 1,2-dichloropropane
has been evaluated in animal studies with rats and mice. Liver
tumors have been observed in mice, and mammary gland tumors
have been found in rats. The International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) has determined that 1,2-dichloropropane is
unclassifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane? |
Urine and blood tests can be used to
find out if you have been exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane.
Levels measured in the urine can be used to predict the levels
in the air. These tests cannot predict whether you will suffer
harmful effects. Because special equipment is needed, these
tests are not usually done in the doctor's office.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA has set a Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) of 0.005 parts per million (0.005 ppm) for 1,2-dichloropropane
in drinking water. The EPA recommends that the level of 1,2-dichloropropane
in lakes and streams should be limited to 0.52 parts per billion
(0.52 ppb) to prevent possible human health effects from drinking
contaminated water or eating contaminated fish. Any release
to the environment greater than 1,000 pounds of 1,2-dichloropropane
must be reported to the EPA.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a workplace air concentration limit of 75 ppm
over an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
The federal recommendations have been
updated as of July 1999.
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Glossary |
Anemia: A decreased ability of the blood
to transport oxygen.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
Evaporate: To change into a vapor or
a gas.
Long-term: Lasting one year or longer.
National Priorities List: A list of the
nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
ppb: Parts per billion.
ppm: Parts per million.
Short-term: Lasting 14 days or less.
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1989. Toxicological Profile for 1,2-dichloropropane. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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