1,2-Dichloroethane: Environmental effects
Description
1,2-dichloroethane has slight acute (short-term) toxicity and slight chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused injury to woody trees. 1,2-dichloroethane is not expected to concentrate in fish. Insufficient data are available to predict the effects of 1,2-dichloroethane on birds or land animals.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of 1,2-dichloroethane can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source, and travel for long distances. Motor vehicles, using leaded petrol, may also produce elevated levels of 1,2-dichloroethane in areas of higher traffic. Spills or to the ground may lead to 1,2-dichloroethane leaching into the groundwater. In the groundwater 1,2-dichloroethane may contaminate bores or other water supplies.
Where it ends up
1,2-dichloroethane is a persistent pollutant in the atmosphere that can be transported long distances. In the atmosphere it will be degraded into other chemicals (CO2 and HCl), in 30 to 300 days. When released to water 1,2-dichloroethane will evaporate into the air. When spilled or applied to land 1,2-dichloroethane, that does not evaporate, may leach into the groundwater. 1,2-dichloroethane is persistent in the ground and groundwater. It may last for years as there is little degradation by microbes. It is not expected to bioaccumulate. 1,2-dichloroethane is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and will contribute to smog. One of the products of degradation from it, HCl, will be a contributor to acid wet deposition (acid rain, fog, dew etc.).
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Key
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