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ETHYLENE
DIBROMIDE (EDB)
Ethylene Dibromide
is used as a pesticide and
fumigant for grains and fruit, a solvent for resins,
gums and waxes, in water-proofing preparations, in anti-knock
gasoline mixtures, in dye making, in making drugs. It is
a colorless, heavy organic liquid with a mildly sweet
chloroform-like odor.
Is
EDB still in use?
EDB was
removed from use as a soil fumigant in the United
States in 1983. It is still used in other applications.
By
what other names is EDB known?
Synonyms
and trade names for Ethylene Dibromide include: EDB,
glycol dibromide, Bromofume, Dowfume W 85,
Aadibroom, Iscobrome-D, Nefis, Pestmaster, EDB-85,
Soilbrom, Soilfume, Kopfume, 1,2 -dibromoethane and
Ethylene Bromide.
Why
is EDB being regulated?
In
1974, the US 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.
What
are the potential health effects?
Short-term:
Damage to the liver, stomach, and adrenal glands along
with significant reproductive system toxicity,
particularly the testes.
Long-term:
Damage to the respiratory system, nervous
system, liver, heart, and kidneys; cancer.
Will
EDB hurt animals?
EDB is
known to cause reproductive problems in animals, and is
an animal carcinogen. It is not known if animals
are at the same risk as humans, due to differences
in consumption, life-span, weight, and metabolism.
Not all
shallow wells are contaminated with EDB. The known areas
of contamination are quite limited and tend to be
near former application sites.
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