8/19/1997 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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N I. PUBLIC 33CALTEE STA f1 'This Statement was PrePared to give you information about 1,2 -dib r omv a tiane (ethylene dib rami de, EDB) and to emphasize the human health effects that may result from exposure to it. The Environmental Protection �.7 7 sites on its National Priorities List (I�FL) • Agency (EFA) has -identified 1, we do not know g Y 1,2-Dibromvetlzane has been found at 9 of these sites. However, L sites have been evaluated for 1,Z-dibromo-ethane- how many of the 1=Z77 � which 1 Z-dibramoethane is As EPA e vaZuates more sites, the number of sites at whi , an e. The information is important to you because found may ch g ul health effects and because these sites are 1 2-dib r amo a thane may cause harmful - ane. potentialQ r actual sources of human exposure to 1,2-d�bromoet When a chemical is released from a large area such as an indus trial Isuch as a drum. or bottle, it enters the plant, or from a container, . emission. This emission, which is also called+a environment as a chemical e exposed s ed to a chemical does not always lead to expo sure. you can b P o it release, contact with the chemical. You may be exposed t i only when you come into c �- eating, a r drinking substances containing the in the environm.erl�. by brew-hang, g a g chemical or from skin contact with the chemical. If you are exposed to a haya.rdous substance such as 1,2-dibromoethane �-� harmful health effects wi11 occur and several factors will de r�aine whether har �- f those health effects will be. These factors what the type and s eve r y�y o .�t'on how long) ? the route or pathway by c lude the dose (how much) ,} , the dur a ( In the thin eating, drinking, or skin contact} , which you are ej�posed (bre--a g� b your individual characteristics other chemicals to which you are exposed, and Yo and state of nut-i- tional status) family traits , life style, such as age, sex, n. health. 1.1 WHAT IS 1.2-DIBROMOET ? as o 1,2-Dibromoethane is a pesticide and g line additive. It- is mostly �- in the ocean in very small amounts . In man-'made, but 3-Z may o c cum naturally�Ltrally � _ - t5 and wo rens that early 1980s , it was used in soil to kill msec the 19 7�s and e y . and grain crops . It was also used_in sal-- to get on fru �.s , Vege.-ab_es , o protect grass, such as on golf courses.. Another use was to kill fruit flies of tzr the were picked. EP.4 stooped on citrus fruits , mangDeS , and papayas y leadedgasoline to most of these uses In 1984. 1,2-Dibromo e thane �s added to l j cause use of leaded gasoline has fallen, produce better fuel eif lc1enc Be ,cal is a colorless less 1,2-dibro mo e thane i s made for this use. The chemical r t evaporates easily and can dissolve in liquid with a mild, s ire e t odor. I P water and in soil for a long time but water. 1 2-Dibromoethane stays in ground chemical and physical .� 'n the air. More inform atlon on the breaks down quickly - b e found in Chap ter 3 and an its _ properties of I,2-dibromoethane can occurrence and fate in the environment in Chapter 5.