Ethylene dibromide

Synonyms

Ethylene bromide; Glycol dibromide; 1,2-Dibromoethane; [NIOSH]

Category

Fumigants

Description

Colorless liquid or solid (below 50 degrees F) with a sweet odor. [fumigant] [NIOSH]

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]

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]

Use as fumigant suspended by EPA due to toxicity and ground water contamination. [Sullivan, p. 1053]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

20 ppm, Ceiling(OSHA) = 30 ppm (50 ppm for 5-min peak per 8-hour shift)

100 ppm

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].

11.2 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 1,831 ppm/30 min

Explanatory Notes

Carcinogen--No TLV; VP from HSDB;

Whole body (animal studies): less than 72 hours; [TDR, p. 640]

Reference Link #2

Acute solvent syndrome

Occupational hepatotoxin (principal effect)

Yes

Yes

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Fumigants, acute toxic effect
• Hepatitis, chemical
• Infertility, male
• Solvents, acute toxic effect