Description
DBCP is an amber to brown liquid (a solidbelow 6℃/43°F) with a strong, pungent odor. It has an odorand taste threshold at 0.01 mg/L in water. Molecularweight = 236.35; Specific gravity (H2O:1): 2.1; Boilingpoint = 196℃ (decomposes); Freezing/Meltingpoint = 6.1℃; Vapor pressure 5=0.8 mmHg at 20℃; Flashpoint = 77℃. Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 MRating System): Health 2, Flammability 2, Reactivity 0.Slightly soluble in water; solubility = 0.1%.
Chemical Properties
colourless to slightly yellow liquid
Physical properties
Colorless when pure, however, technical grades are yellowish to dark brown. Pungent odor at high
concentrations
Uses
Formerly as an agricultural nematocide
(use banned in the US in 1977)
Uses
Soil fumigant, nematocide and pesticide
Uses
Soil fumigant; nematocide; intermediate in organic synthesis.
Definition
ChEBI: 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is an organochlorine compound.
Production Methods
DBCP is produced by liquid phase addition of bromine to
allyl chloride. It was first produced commercially in the
United States in 1955.
General Description
A colorless liquid. Denser than water. Flash point 170°F. Boiling point 195°F. Toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Used as a pesticide and fumigant.
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Soluble in water. Hydrolyzed in alkali.
Reactivity Profile
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane reacts with chemically active metals such as aluminum, magnesium, tin and their alloys. 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane will attack some rubber materials and coatings.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of vapors or dust is extremely irritating. May cause burning of eyes and flow of tears. May cause coughing, difficult breathing and nausea. Brief exposure effects last only a few minutes. Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated.
Agricultural Uses
Nematicide, Fumigant: DBCP has been used in agriculture as a nematicide
since 1955, being supplied for such use in the forms of liquid
concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, powder, granules,
and solid material. A rebuttable presumption against
registration for pesticide uses was issued by U.S. EPA on
September 22, 1977, on the basis of oncogenicity and reproductive
effects. Then, as of November 3, 1977, EPA in a
further action suspended all registrations of end-use products,
subject to various specific restrictions. Not listed as
registered in EU countries.
Trade name
BBC 12®; FUMAGONE®;
FUMAZONE®[C]; MEMATOCIDE®; NEMABROM®;
NEMAFUM®; NEMAGON®[C]; NEMAGON SOIL
FUMIGANT®[C]; NEMANAX®; NEMAPAZ®;
NEMASET®; NEMATOCIDE®[C]; NEMATOX®;
NEMAZON®; OS 1897®; OXY BCP®[C]; SD 1897®
Safety Profile
Confirmed human
carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic
and teratogenic data. Poison by ingestion,
inhalation, and subcutaneous routes.
Moderately toxic by skin contact. An eye
and severe skin irritant. Narcotic in high
concentrations. Has been implicated in
causing human sterihty in male factory
workers. Human mutation data reported. A
soil fumigant. Combustible. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl
and Br-. See also CHLORIDES and
BROLVIDES.
Potential Exposure
AgriculturalChemical; Tumorigen, Mutagen; Reproductive Effector;Human Data; Primary Irritant. DBCP has been used in agriculture as a fumigant for control of nematodes since 1955,being supplied for such use in the forms of liquid concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, powder, granules, and solidmaterial. A rebuttable presumption against registration forpesticide uses was issued by US EPA on September 22,1977, on the basis of oncogenicity and reproductive effects.Then, as of November 3, 1977, the EPA in a further action,suspended all registrations of end-use products, subject tovarious specific restrictions.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least2030 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seekmedical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Contact local poison control center for adviceabout inducing vomiting. Medical observation is recommended for 2448 h after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonaryedema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consideradministering a corticosteroid spray.
Carcinogenicity
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity fromstudies in experimental animals.
Environmental Fate
Biological. Biodegradation is not expected to be significant in removing 1,2-dibromo-
3-chloropropane. In aerobic soil columns, no degradation was observed after 25 days
(Wilson et al., 1981a).
Soil. Soil water cultures converted 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane to n-propanol, bromide
and chloride ions. Precursors to the alcohol formation include allyl chloride and allyl
alcohol (Castro and Belser, 1968). The reported half-life in soil is 6 months (Jury et al.,
1987).
Groundwater. According to the U.S. EPA (1986) 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane has a
high potential to leach to groundwater.
Chemical/Physical. 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is subject to both neutral and basemediate
hydrolysis (Kollig, 1993). Under neutral conditions, the chlorine or bromine atoms
may be displaced by hydroxyl ions. If nucleophilic attack occurs at the carbon-chlorine
bond, 2,3-dibromopropanol is formed which reacts further to give 2,3-dihydroxybromopropane
via the intermediate epibromohydrin. 2,3-Dihydroxybromopropane will undergo
hydrolysis via the intermediate 1-hydroxy-2,3-propylene oxide which further reacts with
water to give glycerol. If the nucleophilic attack occurs at the carbon-bromine bond, 2-
bromo-3-chloropropanol is formed which further reacts forming the end product glycerol
(Kollig, 1993). If hydrolysis of 1,2-dibromo-2-chloropropane occurs under basic conditions,
the compound will undergo dehydrohalogenation to form 2-bromo-3-chloropropene
and 2,3-dibromo-1-propene as intermediates. Both compounds are subject to further attack
forming 2-bromo-3-hydroxypropene as the end product (Burlinson et al., 1982; Kollig,
1993). The hydrolysis half-life at pH 7 and 25°C was calculated to be 38 years (Burlinson
et al., 1982; Ellington et al., 1986).
Emits toxic chloride and bromide fumes when heated to decomposition (Lewis, 1990).
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with DBCPyou should be trained on its proper handling and storage.Store in a refrigerator. Protect from alkalis and reactivemetals. Protection from light is recommended for long-termstorage. Where possible, automatically pump liquid fromdrums or other storage containers to process containers. Aregulated, marked area should be established where thischemical is handled, used, or stored in compliance withOSHA Standard 1910.1045.
Shipping
DBCP requires a “POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS” label. It falls in Hazard Class 6.1 and Packing Group III.
Toxicity evaluation
DBCP in soil can volatilize from near-surface soil. Based on
estimated Koc values of 149 in Lincoln fine sand and 128 in an
unspecified soil, DBCP will be highly mobile in soil and has the
capacity to leach into groundwater. It is estimated that the
volatilization half-life for this chemical will vary between 0.6
days in dry soil with low soil organic content and 26.2 days in
a wet soil containing high values of soil organic content. It is
important to notice that fields treated with DBCP will present
a significant retardation in the volatilization loss from the soil
if plastic coverings are used.
DBCP will exist primarily in the vapor phase in the
ambient atmosphere. It is expected that very small amounts of
this chemical will be present in the particulate phase, and this
could explain the fact that dry deposition to the earth’s surface
will not result in a significant removal process. DBCP presents
high water solubility, and then small amounts present in the air
can be removed by wet deposition.
If found in water, DBCP will volatilize quite rapidly to the
atmosphere; the estimated volatilization half-life from a pond
is 8 days. Using again the estimated Koc values of 128–149, this
chemical is not expected to adsorb significantly to sediment
and suspended organic matter. Based on an estimated bioconcentration
factor (BCF) of 11.2, it is not expected to bioconcentrate
in fish and other aquatic organisms. There is no
sufficient data to indicate that DBCP could be a potential risk in
terms of biomagnifications in different aquatic or terrestrial
food chains. However, some biodegradation of DBCP in
groundwater might ensue under anaerobic conditions.
Incompatibilities
Reacts with oxidizers and chemicallyactive metals (i.e., aluminum, magnesium, and tin alloys).Attacks some rubber materials and coatings. Corrosive tometals.
