A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: dichloroethane (EDC)
..:::30
10 Dichloroethane (EDC)
� EDC is used as solvent and as raw material in
PVC production.
� In other countries, EDC has been found in
groundwater in areas with PVC industry.
� There are no data on environmental distribution
of EDC outside Grenland in Norway.
� Further screening may be necessary in
Grenland.
Production and use
Dichloroethane is being used in synthesis of
VCM for in PVC production. There is one such
plant in Norway, at Rafnes in Grenland.
Dichloroethane is also widely used as industrial
solvent and glue.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Only Rafnes sees large scale EDC use in the
period. From 1977 to 1985 unintentional
ground pollution. Most spills, contaminated soil
and contaminated ground water have been
cleared. The volumes are not known. Typically
the EDC-concentrations in the groundwater
have dropped from around 1000 mg/l in the
mid 80'ies to less than 50 mg/l today. Remedial
action (pumping and stripping of groundwater)
have prevented dispersion of the contaminated
ground water.
The emissions to air were reported by Norsk
Hydro to be 60 tons in 1996, and 35 tons in
1995 and 10 tons/year from 1997 to 2002,
dropping to 4 tonnes from 2003. The figures
include both fugitive/diffuse emissions, point
sources and accidental releases. Discharges to
water in 2003 were 3 kilos.
Dichloroethane may form in uncontrolled incineration
processes (such as landfill fires). No data
are available on amounts, but they are considered
by SFT to be small. There are 5-10 large
landfill fires in Norway annually.
Marine
There are no available data on dichloroethane
in sea, marine sediments or marine biota in
Norway.
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Cas no.: 107-06-2
Synonyms: EDC, etylendiklorid, ethan dichloride,
acetylene dichloride, ethane, 1,2-dichloro, 2dichlorethan;
chlorethylen; dichlorethan, 1,2-; dikloretan,
1,2-; EDC; ethan, 1,2-dichlor- ; ethane, 1,2dichloro-
; Ethylendichlorid ; Ethylenum chloratum ;
Freon 150
Properties: Clear colourless oily liquid. May darken.
Sweet odour.
Toxic effects: Slightly toxic, acute LD50 rat oral 670-
890 mg/kg. A burden of 0,5-1,0 g/kg may cause
death in humans. Defattening and irritant for eyes,
skin and respiratory system. Possible carcinogen in
humans. LC50 Daphnia magna 218 mg/l 48 hour
(ClassLab and HSDB).
Log Kow: 1,48
Persistence: Biodegradation in soil or water is not
expected to be an important environmental fate
process. Half-life 4 to 9 days in lakes (volatilisation)
(HSDB)
DT50 water (hydrolysis) = 23 - 300 years at 15°C
DT50 air = 12-121 days (ind. photolysis) CIRCA
Water solubility: 8690 mg/l
Molecular formula: C 2 H 4 Cl 2
Metabolites: Glycolic acid, oxalic acid, chlorethanol,
chloraceticacid.
Fresh water, soil and groundwater
The extent of the ground pollution at Rafnes is
unknown.
Hot-spots
Rafnes in Grenland is a hot-spot, extent is
unknown.
Monitoring
Norsk Hydro is monitoring dichloroethane
emissions to air. Discharges to water or soil are
unintentional and thus not monitored.
Need for further screening and monitoring
Dichloroethane is easily degraded in fresh water
and sea. Anaerobic degradation (groundwater,
sediments) is slow. Documentation on levels in
ground water is lacking, thus, it may be neces-