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National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants

Dinoseb

Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

Dinoseb is an herbicide historically used on soybeans and vegetables; it is associated with birth defects and reproductive difficulties and has been banned in the U.S. since 1986. [read more]

Dinoseb Dinoseb is an extremely toxic herbicide that was used primarily on soybeans, cotton, corn and vegetables. It was also used as an insecticide in grapes and as a seed crop drying agent. In October 1986, EPA issued an emergency suspension order that immediately prohibited further sale, distribution and use of pesticide products containing dinoseb in the United States. This action was based on the significant risk of birth defects and other adverse health effects for applicators and other persons with substantial dinoseb exposure. Since that time, the use of dinoseb has been canceled in the United States (Extension Toxicology Network (EXTOXNET) 1993c). Dinoseb has been detected in groundwater in New York, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Oregon. In animal studies, the compound was found to cross the placental barrier, and it can cause birth defects and miscarriages (reviewed in Matsumoto 2008). Dinoseb was shown to cause damage to the reproductive system, and also to the heart, lung, brain, liver and spleen (Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) 1993b). According to EPA, people who drink water containing dinoseb in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.007 mg/L (7 parts per billion or ppb) for many years could experience reproductive difficulties (USEPA 2009b).

	Detected	Found above health guidelines	Found above legal limit
States	14	-	-
Water utilities	33	-	-
People Served	443,566	-	-

Health Concerns for Dinoseb:

• Neurotoxicity
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity
• Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
• Occupational hazards
• Endocrine disruption
• Cancer
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
• Ecotoxicology
• Persistence and bioaccumulation
• Miscellaneous

Dinoseb Exposure by State

Water utilities in 14 states have reported detecting Dinoseb in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.

State	Water Suppliers with Dinoseb contamination
	Systems	Population
Delaware	3	240,930
Arizona	1	86,000
Massachusetts	2	46,600
Wisconsin	4	20,992
California	2	17,738
Maryland	6	14,252
Florida	1	9,445
New Mexico	5	4,238
North Carolina	3	1,897
New York	2	851
Indiana	1	378
New Hampshire	1	93
Nebraska	1	92
Washington	1	60
Total	33	443,566

The Most Polluted Communities

33 water utilities reported detecting Dinoseb in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies

Ranked by highest average Dinoseb level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	Clearview Utilities Corp. Kearney, NE	92	1 of 1	2.1 ppb (2.1 ppb)
2	Arden Farms, Inc. Arden, NY	51	1 of 1	1.7 ppb (1.7 ppb)
3	Arrow Springs Raleigh, NC	80	1 of 6	0.9 ppb (0 to 5.4 ppb)
4	Kontree Apartments Water System Ferndale, WA	60	1 of 1	0.66 ppb (0.66 ppb)
5	Jefferson Landing Jefferson, NC	400	6 of 10	0.53 ppb (0 to 2.59 ppb)
6	Country Hills of East Kingston NH	93	1 of 4	0.5 ppb (0 to 2 ppb)
7	City of Mcfarland Mcfarland, CA	12,138	1 of 2	0.5 ppb (0 to 1 ppb)
8	Rehoboth Beach Water Department Rehoboth, DE	29,787	3 of 7	0.35 ppb (0 to 1.15 ppb)
9	Mesilla Park Manor Water System Las Cruces, NM	848	1 of 2	0.28 ppb (0 to 0.56 ppb)
10	Valle Del Rio Water System Santa Teresa, NM	243	1 of 2	0.26 ppb (0 to 0.52 ppb)

Health Based Limits for Dinoseb

Standard	Description	Level
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL)	The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	7 ppb
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG)	A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	7 ppb
Lifetime health-based limit, non-cancer risk	Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for a lifetime of exposure. The Lifetime health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is based on exposure for a a 70-kg adult consuming 2 liters of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	7 ppb
California Public Health Goals	Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health.	14 ppb
Drinking Water Equivalent Level	A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	35 ppb
Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure	Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for up to one day of exposure. The One-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	300 ppb
Children's health-based limit for 10-day exposure	Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure. The Ten-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	300 ppb

Testing Summary for Dinoseb

Are tests routinely required for Dinoseb by federal law?	Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for Dinoseb (2004-2009):	19,798 of 47,576
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009):	0.4 per year

Violation Summary for Dinoseb

Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for Dinoseb since 2004

Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations	0
Monitoring Violations	1,670
Reporting Violations	0

Neurotoxicity

Type of concern:	Reference:
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity	Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Type of concern:	Reference:
Possible human developmental toxicant	California EPA Proposition 65
Human developmental toxicant - strong evidence	Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens
Human reproductive toxicant - strong evidence	Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity	European Union - Classification & Labelling
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence	Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
Possible human reproductive or developmental toxin	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
Limited evidence of developmental toxicity	CHE Toxicant and Disease Database

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Type of concern:	Reference:
Classified as a high human health priority	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986
Classified as toxic or harmful	European Union - Classification & Labelling
Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity	National Library of Medicine HazMap
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	National Library of Medicine HazMap
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Occupational hazards

Type of concern:	Reference:
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses	European Union - Classification & Labelling

Endocrine disruption

Type of concern:	Reference:
Limited evidence of endocrine disruption	Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences

Cancer

Type of concern:	Reference:
Cancer - limited evidence	US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, 2002
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen	EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results	RTECS®- Mutation Research 1973

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Type of concern:	Reference:
Classified as irritant	European Union - Classification & Labelling

Ecotoxicology

Type of concern:	Reference:
Wildlife and environmental toxicity	European Union - Classification & Labelling
Suspected to be an environmental toxin	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Type of concern:	Reference:
Not suspected to be persistent	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative	Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Miscellaneous

Type of concern:	Reference:
Occupational hazards related to handling	European Union - Classification & Labelling

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
European Union - Classification & Labelling	DINOSEB	•Risk of explosion if heated under confinement •Toxic •Toxic in contact with skin and ingestion •May be toxic to the reproductive system •May cause harm to the unborn child •Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity •Possible risk of impaired fertility •Irritant (eyes, skin, or lungs) •Irritating to eyes •Dangerous for the environment •Very toxic to aquatic organisms
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	PHENOL, 2-(1-METHYLPROPYL)-4,6-DINITRO-	•This chemical was deemed a high human health priority even though it did not meet the strict criteria of the categorization exercise of CEPA. The chemical was flagged for suspected aquatic toxicity, developmental, and reproductive concerns.
EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)	DINOSEB	•Group D: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity (EPA classification)
European Commission on Endocrine Disruption	DINOSEB	HH-CAT3b;WF-CAT3b
European Union - Banned or Restricted in Cosmetics	DINOSEB, ITS SALTS AND ESTERS	•Restricted in EU cosmetics (mandatory manufacturing or structural specifications)
National Library of Medicine HazMap	4,6-DINITRO-O-SEC-BUTYL PHENOL	•Restricted - Regulations that have banned or restricted the use of the agent: All uses cancelled in the U.S. in 1986; [EXTOXNET]; •Hepatotoxin: Hepatotoxin, Secondary; •Nephrotoxin: Yes; •Other Poison: Uncoupler;
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs	2(1METHYLPROPYL)4,6DINITROPHENOL	•Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs
California EPA Proposition 65	DINOSEB	•Developmental toxin: California Proposition 65
Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences	DINITROBUTYL PHENOL	•Endocrine toxicity hazards: suspected
US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, 2002	DINITROBUTYL PHENOL	•Cancer hazards: suspected
Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens	DINITROBUTYL PHENOL	•Developmental toxicity hazards: recognized
Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens	DINITROBUTYL PHENOL	•Reproductive toxicity hazards: recognized
RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986	DINOSEB	• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit )
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1973	DINOSEB	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Gene Conversion and Mitotic Recombination (Saccharomyces cerevisiae )

references

government/industry list/academic study	reference
European Union - Classification & Labelling	CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)	EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986-2005 guidelines.
European Commission on Endocrine Disruption	EU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998.
European Union - Banned or Restricted in Cosmetics	EC (European Commission of the European Union). 1999-2006. Enterprise Directorate-General Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. The rules governing cosmetic products in the European Union, Volume 1, "Cosmetics legislation."
National Library of Medicine HazMap	NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs	EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
California EPA Proposition 65	California EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency). 9/2008. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Chemicals known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.
Scorecard.org Toxicity Information	Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences. Lists of Paradigmatic Chemicals. http://www.nihs.go.jp/hse/endocrine-e/paradigm/paradigm.html
Scorecard.org Toxicity Information	US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs. List of Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential (5/10/2002). OPP, Washington, DC. http://www.epi.uci.edu/valleycenter/EPAListCarcinogenicChemicals.pdf
Scorecard.org Toxicity Information	Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.
Scorecard.org Toxicity Information	Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.
RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986	RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986 -,679,1986
RTECS®- Mutation Research 1973	RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 21,83,1973

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