Substance fact sheet
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides information on the types and amounts of pollutants being emitted in the Australian community.
This page provides facts about 1,2-dibromoethane. It describes how you might be exposed to this substance, how exposure might effect you and the environment, common uses, comparative data about 1,2-dibromoethane and its physical and chemical properties.
For more information about some of the terms used in this page, see the NPI glossary.
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of 1,2-dibromoethane emissions in Australia.
1,2-dibromoethane can effect the brain, damage skin, damage sperm in men, and cause death at very high exposures. Breathing EDB can irritate the lungs causing coughing or shortness of breath. Breathing higher levels of EDB can cause a build up of fluids in the lungs (pulmonary oedema). High exposures can cause dizziness, drowsiness, headache, vomiting and unconsciousness. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies EDB as a 'probable human carcinogen'. Worksafe Australia categorises EDB as a 'Probable human carcinogen'. Other long-term effects of exposure to EDB are damage to the liver and kidneys and bronchitis.
1,2-dibromoethane will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, or drink contaminated water. EDB can also pass through your skin.
Workers in the industries that use or produce EDB are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to EDB by exposure to leaded fuels, or by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using EDB. The most significant route of exposure to EDB for most members of the general public is through drinking contaminated water (especially bore water).
See Sources for more information.
According to Worksafe Australia , 1,2-dibromoethane exposure should be controlled to the 'lowest practicable level'.
See the Additional Information page for current health information.
The Australian NOHSC National Exposure Standards Database link is probably the most useful source of information.
Note that the emissions data in the NPI database is not directly comparable with these guidelines.
EDB has moderate short-term toxicity to aquatic life. EDB is not expected to concentrate in fish. EDB is a severe skin irritant that can cause blistering in humans and animals, very high doses through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption may cause death.
Industrial emissions of EDB can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Motor vehicles may also produce elevated levels of EDB in areas of higher traffic. Spills or agricultural applications to the ground may lead to EDB leaching into the groundwater. In the groundwater EDB may contaminate bores or other water supplies.
1,2-dibromoethane is a persistent pollutant in the atmosphere that can be transported long distances. When released to water EDB will evaporate into the air. Some types of microbes can degrade EDB. It does not tend to accumulate in aquatic life. When spilled or applied to land EDB may leach into the groundwater. EDBs persistence in the ground will vary from soil to soil, in some it may last a few weeks, in others it has been recorded to last as long as 19 years.
No national guidelines.
EDB is used in the manufacture of leaded petrol, it is used as a fumigant in soil, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is used in the treatment of logs for pests and as a preparation for dyes and waxes. It is also used in the production of some plastics and latex, and as a chemical intermediate.
Refineries making leaded petrol, timber treatment facilities, plastics manufacturing facilities may emit to air, land and water.
Fumigation locations for agricultural products may emit to air, land and water.
EDB occurs naturally in small amounts in the ocean, where algae and kelp (probably) form it.
Motor vehicle emissions to air.
Leaded petrol contains EDB. Some treated products may contain some residual EDB (e.g. treated logs and wood). Water may be contaminated (especially bore water) with EDB.
Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A ranking and total hazard score was given based on health and environmental hazards and human and environmental exposure to the substance.
1,2-dibromoethane was ranked as 36 out of 400. The total hazard score taking into account both human health and environmental criteria is 3.8.
On a health hazard rating of 0 - 3 1,2-dibromoethane registers 1.3. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health.
On an environmental rating of 0 - 3 1,2-dibromoethane registers 2.5. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard.
Factors taken into account to obtain this ranking and these scores include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8. A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.
| Substance name | 1,2-dibromoethane |
| CASR number | 106-93-4 |
| Molecular formula | C2H4Br2 |
| Synonyms | EDB, Ethylene dibromide, dibromoethane, ethylene bromide, glycol dibromide, sym-dibromide, dibromoethylene |
| Physical properties: 2-dibromoethane (EDB) is a colourless to brown, heavy, volatile liquid, with a mild sweet odour. Melting Point (°C) 9.8 |
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| Chemical properties: 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) is slightly soluble in water and is chemically stable. Flashpoint: NA (it is not flammable) |
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There is more information that may be useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the NPI.