National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
bis(2-chloroethyl) ether
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether is a synthetic chemical used as a solvent, cleaner, component of paint and varnish, rust inhibitor and a chemical intermediate in production of pesticides.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 1 |
1 |
- |
| Water utilities | 1 |
1 |
- |
| People Served | 201,000 |
201,000 |
- |
Health Concerns for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether:
- Cancer
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
- Persistence and bioaccumulation
- Occupational hazards
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Ecotoxicology
- Neurotoxicity
bis(2-chloroethyl) ether Exposure by State
Water utilities in 1 states have reported detecting bis(2-chloroethyl) ether in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with bis(2-chloroethyl) ether contamination | Water suppliers reporting bis(2-chloroethyl) ether above health-based limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | Systems | Population | |
| Delaware | 1 | 201,000 | 1 | 201,000 |
| Total | 1 | 201,000 | 1 | 201,000 |
The Most Polluted Communities
1 water utilities reported detecting bis(2-chloroethyl) ether in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average bis(2-chloroethyl) ether level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artesian Water Company Newark, DE | 201,000 | 37 of 79 | 0.06 ppb (0 to 1.33 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria | Water quality criteria set by the US EPA provide guidance for states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect human health. These are non-enforceable standards based upon exposure by both drinking water and the contribution of water contamination to other consumed foods. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0.03 ppb |
| Health-Based Screening Level | A benchmark concentration of contaminants in water that may be of potential concern for human health, if exceeded. For noncarcinogens, the HBSL represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse effects over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, the HBSL range represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that corresponds to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 chance in 1 million to 1 chance in 10 thousand. Source: U.S. Geological Survey. | 0.03 ppb-3 ppb |
| Health-Based Screening Level | A benchmark concentration of contaminants in water that may be of potential concern for human health, if exceeded. For noncarcinogens, the HBSL represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse effects over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, the HBSL range represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that corresponds to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 chance in 1 million to 1 chance in 10 thousand. Source: U.S. Geological Survey. | 300 ppb |
Testing Summary for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether
| Are tests routinely required for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (2004-2009): | 358 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 1.2 per year |
Cancer
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Possible human carcinogen | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Possible human carcinogen | California EPA Proposition 65 |
| Cancer - strong evidence | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- HEW Publication (FDA 1978 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1986 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1994 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1996 |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Known human respiratory toxicant | EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 |
| Classified as very toxic or harmful | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center |
| 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 |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,16,1973 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1971 |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1948 |
Ecotoxicology
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants |
Neurotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | •Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect •Very toxic by inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | DICHLOROETHYL ETHER | • o |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | •Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act |
| EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) | BIS(CHLOROETHYL)ETHER (BCEE) | •Group B2: Probable human carcinogen - sufficient data in animals (EPA classification) |
| EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants | DICHLOROETHYL ETHER (BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER) | •Hazardous air pollutant under Clean Air Act |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | DICHLOROETHYL ETHER | •Skin Designation (ACGIH) - Danger of cutaneous absorption (ACGIH): Yes; •Hepatotoxin: Hepatotoxin, Secondary; •Neurotoxin: CNS Solvent Syndrome; •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 10 ppm; •LC50 - Lethal concentration in 50% of animals tested: 243 ppm; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 5 ppm; •Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 2: high ambient temperature required; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppm; •Lacrimator - A substance that irritates the eyes and induces the flow of tears: Yes; •Odor Threshold High - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 0.05 ppm; •Odor Threshold Low - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 0.0005 ppm; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 10 ppm; |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER | •IARC Group 3 (no cancer link) |
| NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens | DICHLOROETHYL ETHER | •Potential occupational carcinogen according to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | 1,1'-OXYBIS[2-CHLORO-ETHANE | •Persistent toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | 1,1'-OXYBIS[2-CHLORO-ETHANE | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| California EPA Proposition 65 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER | •Carcinogen: California Proposition 65 |
| US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | •Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected |
| US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | •Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected |
| Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | •Cancer hazards: recognized |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1996 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Gene Conversion and Mitotic Recombination (Drosophila melanogaster ihl) |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1994 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: (Drosophila melanogaster par) |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1986 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- HEW Publication (FDA 1978 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1948 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,16,1973 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • occupationally related - MSHA STANDARD-air (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1971 | BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
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. |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation. |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | |
| 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. |
| EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2005. Office of Air. The 112(b)1 Hazardous Air Pollutants List (as modified). Last modified: 12 Dec 2005. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures). |
| NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens | NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). 2006. NIOSH Carcinogens List (Potential occupational carcinogens). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npotocca.html. |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| 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 | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.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®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology. (Ophthalmic Pub. Co., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1415, Chicago, IL 60611) Series 3: V.1- 29,1363,1946 |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1996 | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London). (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 17,1083,1996 |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1994 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 23,51,1994 |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1986 | RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis. (New York, NY) V.1-9, 1979-87. For publisher information, see EMMUEG. 8(Suppl 7),1,1986 |
| RTECS®- HEW Publication (FDA 1978 | RTECS®- HEW Publication (FDA. United States). (Washington, DC) ?-1979(?). For publisher information, see HPFSDS. FDA-78-1046,1978 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1948 | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. (Cambridge, MA) V.18-31, 1936-49. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 30,63,1948 |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,16,1973 | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,16,1973 |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1971 | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 12/29/1971 |
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