Document raZM84e5EMNvajqY2zak7XOq

I FE-255 S i 7 Summary Characterizatic ns of Selected Chemicals of Near-Term Interest Environmental Protection Agency April 1976 . APRIL 7976 . .. f. Preface Arsenic Asbestos Bsnzene Benzidine Cadmf urn Ethy1ene D i bromide Hexachl orobenrene Hydrogen Sul f ide Mercury Platinum Polybrominated Biphenyls Polynuclear Aramatfc Hydrocarbons Trlchl oroethylene Tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) Phosphate Vinyl idene Chi o r i de i 1 5 9 13 17 21 25 29 33 37 41 45 49 53 57 Preceding page blank iii BENZENE Why Should the Chemical Be of Concern a t This Time? Benzene, a com~onenti n gasoline and an important feedstock for t h e cnemicai i n d u s t r y , nas m e n the subject o f numerous published reports l i n k i n g leukemia w i t h worker exposure t o i t . Large quantities o f benzene a r e ctischarsed i n t o the environment from automobiles, and probably from s t a t i o n a r y sources. The Environmental Defense Fund has been particularly concerned about the identification of benzene i n d r i n k i n g water i n the parts per b i l l i o n range. NIGSH has recently recommended a reduction i n workplace levels. What Are the Health and Ecological Effects, and Envfronmental Behavlor? Numerous f a t a l I t i e s from occupational benzene poisoning have been reported since the early 1900's. After inhalation or ingestion, benzene i s absorbed rapidly by the blood. A t non-lethal concentrations, a variety of human central nervous system disorders a r e observed, depending upon the extent o f exposure. These include euphoria followed by giddiness, headache, nausea and staggering g a i t , a s well a s fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, and unconsciousness. Observed human blood-forming system damage includes anemia, reduction i n p l a t e l e t numbers, and depression of the white blood cell count. Chronic benzene exposure has a l s o resulted in chromosome aberrations i n human lymphocytes. As e a r l y as the 1930's, benzene was suspected i n cases of leukenia. Available epidemiological data indicate t h a t the compound does induce leukemia, although the data cannot be considered t o constitute unequivocal evidence that benzene acting alone i s leukemogenic. Attempts by NCI and others t o induce leukemia i n animals w i t h benzene have not been successful. However, the r e s u l t s of inhalation experiments w i t h mice, tne species most susceptible t o leukemia, a r e not y e t available Based on i t s physical properties, benzene i s expected to be q u i t e mobile and probably p e r s i s t e n t . Adverse e f f e c t s on ecological resources have n o t been reported. What Are the Sources, Environmental Levels, and Exposed Populatfons? I n 1973 over 10 b i l l i o n pounds of benzene were produced from petroleum a n d coal i n the United States. T h i s v o l a t i l e , colorless, flammable l i q u i d i s used mostly f o r synthesis of organic chemicals. I t has been estimated t h a t a t l e a s t 80 million pounds o f benzene may be l o s t t o the environment d u r i n g benzene production, storage, and fransport, while an u p p e r limit of 650 million pounds may be released d u r i n g i t s use to produce other organics. The l a t t e r f i g u r e was calculated from the difference between 100%y i e l d and the reported y i e l d i n these reactions. Therefore, t h i s i s only a crude measure of the worst-case benzene emissions d u r i n g usage. The emissions would be concentrated i n the Texas Gulf area and the Northeast. Preceding page blank -9- c REFERENCES 197q. H a r r i s , Robert, The ? m l i c a t i o n s of Cancer Causinq Substances f n Yississi:?i q i v e r Water; W z r h i ~ S t o ~ , E n v i r o ~ m e n t9aelfense Fund (November 6, 1974). -Occupational S a f e t y and H e a l t h Standards: Subpart Z Toxic ana k a z a r a o u s S u o s t 3 r c e s 29 CF'i 1513.!000, Tac;e 2 - 2 . I A R C Monographs on the E v a l u a t i o n o f t h e Carcinogenic R i s k o f Chemicals t o Yan f : 2 0 3 ; Lyon, I n t e r n a t i o n a l Agency f o r Researcb on Cancer (1974). Moran, John B., Lead I n Gasolfne: Impact on C u r r e n t and F u t u r e Autor?ot?ve E m i s s J-.z r s ; presectec t o A i r P o i i u r i c n icntroi Association meetlng (June i 5 7 C j . F r e l i r i n a r y Assessnent c f Carcfnocens i n Drinking Water: ReDort to Consress; c- I LY-, O f f i c e of T o x i c Substances (December 1975). Development of A n a l y t i c a l Techn?ques f o r Measuring Amb;ent Atnospheric - -Vac3rs; EPA, O f f i c e of A i r Q u a l i t y Planning ana Stanaaras (Puoiicatis? 'Caa.~:-~r: ---ce;./z ~ ?p L- j c m,November 1975). Sogrces o f Contanination, Ambient Levels, and Fate o f Benzene i n t h e Envimngeqt, E P A , O f f i c e o f T o x i c Substances ( P u b i i c a t i o n No. PB 244139 , December I' S i t , . -11-