1,2-dibromoethane	Last updated: 24/12/2020
(Also known as: EDB; glycol bromide; sym-dibromide; ethylene dibromide; glycol dibromide)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Description	A largely obsolete post-harvest pesticide, often used in mixtures, to control termites and other insect pests
Example pests controlled	Termites; Ants; Japanese and other beetles; Moths; Nematodes; Wireworms
Example applications	Fruit including citrus, tropical fruit; Vegetables; Cereals
Efficacy & activity	-
Availability status	Obsolete
Introduction & key dates	-

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status	Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires	Expired, banned
UK LERAP status	No UK approval for use

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status	Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur	Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires	Expired, banned
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)	Not applicable
Listed in EU database	Yes
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States	ATAustria BEBelgium BGBulgaria CYCyprus CZCzech Republic DEGermany DKDenmark EEEstonia ELGreece                   ESSpain FIFinland FRFrance HRCroatia HUHungary IEIreland ITItaly LTLithuania LULuxembourg                   LVLatvia MTMalta NLNetherlands PLPoland PTPortugal RORomania SESweden SISlovenia SKSlovakia

Also used in

Also used in	-

Chemical structure

Isomerism	None
Chemical formula	C₂H₄Br₂
Canonical SMILES	C(CBr)Br
Isomeric SMILES	No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)	PAAZPARNPHGIKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)	InChI=1S/C2H4Br2/c3-1-2-4/h1-2H2
2D structure diagram/image available?	Yes

General status

Pesticide type	Insecticide, Fumigant
Substance group	Unclassified
Minimum active substance purity	-
Known relevant impurities	-
Substance origin	Synthetic
Mode of action	Toxin attacking central nervous system
CAS RN	106-93-4
EC number	203-444-5
CIPAC number	-
US EPA chemical code	042002
PubChem CID	7839
CLP index number	602-010-00-6
Molecular mass	187.86
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)	-
IUPAC name	ethylene dibromide
CAS name	1,2-dibromoethane
Other status information	Chemical subject to PIC regulations; Potential groundwater contaminant; POP
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards	-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)	Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)	Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)	Not known
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)	Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance	-
Physical state	Colourless liquid
Related substances & organisms	carbon tetrachloride

Formulations

Property	Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically	Bromofume Dowfume Iscobrome Soilbrom Soilfume
Example products using this active	United Phosphorous Ltd Dow
Formulation and application details	Fumigant

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		4150	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data at 25 °C	High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		Miscible	CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Ethanol	-
		Miscible	CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Diethyl ether	-
Melting point (°C)		9.8	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data	-
Boiling point (°C)		131	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data	-
Degradation point (°C)		-	-	-
Flashpoint (°C)		132	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C	P	9.12 X 1001	Calculated	-
	Log P	1.96	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Low
Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)		2.17	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data	-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C		-	-	-
		-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)		1.49 X 1006	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	Highly volatile
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)		6.59 X 1009	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	Volatile
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹		-	-	-
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)		-	-	-

Degradation

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
General biodegradability		-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)	DT₅₀ (typical)	100	G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Persistent
	DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)	70	CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Moderately persistent
	DT₅₀ (field)	7000	CA1 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 1 = Estimated data with little or no verification	Very persistent
	DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ modelling endpoint	-	-	-
	Note	General literature states DT₅₀ 1.5 to 18 weeks (CA3); In field - small proportion of residues very persistent - 19 years (CA3)
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Linear	Kd	-	R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 4 = Verified data	Moderately mobile
	Koc	87
	Notes and range	Koc range 14-160 mL g⁻¹; Other sources: 66 mL g⁻¹ (P4)
Freundlich	Kf	-	-	-
	Kfoc	-
	1/n	-
	Notes and range	-
pH sensitivity		-

Fate indices

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index		7.92	Calculated	High leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate	Value	4.51 X 1001	Calculated	-
	Note	-
Potential for particle bound transport index		Medium	Calculated	-
Potential for loss via drain flow		Moderately mobile	Calculated	-

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Bio-concentration factor	BCF (l kg⁻¹)	Low risk	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source Based on LogP < 3	Low risk
	CT₅₀ (days)	-		-
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		108	E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL	(mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	(ppm diet)	-		-
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		> 130	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Coturnix japonica	Moderate
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)		-	-	-
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		> 18	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data Lepomis macrochirus	Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		> 5.81	P3 P = Other governments and regulators 3 = Unverified data of known source Oryzias latipes 28 day	Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		> 119	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data Daphnia magna	Low
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Non-target plants		-	-	-
		-	-	-
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Honeybees (Apis spp.)	Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)	Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
		-
	Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
		-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)	Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	-	-	-
Other pollinators (1)	Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Mode of exposure	-
Other pollinators (2)	Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Mode of exposure	-
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Other soil macro-organisms	Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
Other arthropod (1)	LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹	-	-	-
	% Effect	-	-	-
Other arthropod (2)	LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹	-	-	-
	% Effect	-	-	-
Soil micro-organisms		-	-	-
Mesocosm study data	NOEAEC mg l⁻¹	-	-	-
	NOEAEC mg l⁻¹	-	-	-

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)		High (Class III)	-	-
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		108	E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)		300	E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rabbit	-
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints		-	-	-
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		-	-	-
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		-	-	-
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		-	-	-
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		-	-	-
Dermal penetration studies (%)		-	-	-
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464		-	-	-
Exposure Routes	Public	Risk of exposure from agricultural sources is negligible Possible risk in some countries via consumption of contaminated drinking water
	Occupational	May be absorped through inhalation, ingestion, or the skin
MRLs	European	EU MRL pesticide database
	Notes	-
Drinking Water Standards		Non-statutory WHO drinking water guideline 0.0004 mg l⁻¹	B5 B = UK CRD and ACP evaluation documents / and other Defra (UK) documents (click here ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes UK EA QS database 2018	-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)		-	-	-

Health issues

Specific human health issues		Carcinogen Genotoxic Endocrine disruptor ✓Yes, known to cause a problem A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data ?Possibly, status not identified Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant ✓Yes, known to cause a problem No data found ?Possibly, status not identified Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser ✓Yes, known to cause a problem ✓Yes, known to cause a problem No data found Eye irritant Phototoxicant   ✓Yes, known to cause a problem No data found
General human health issues		Possible liver and kidney toxicant May cause testicular damage and antispermatogenic effects High does may lead to death

Handling issues

Property	Value and interpretation
General	Corrosive IMDG Transport Code is usually 6.1
CLP classification 2013	Health: H301, H311, H315, H319, H331, H335, H350 Environment: H411
EC Risk Classification	Carcinogen category 2: R45 T - Toxic: R23, R24, R25 Xi - Irritant: R36, R37, R38 N - Dangerous for the environment: R51, R53
EC Safety Classification	S45, S53, S61
WHO Classification	O (Obsolete substance)
UN Number	Usually 1605
Waste disposal & packaging	Packaging Group I (great danger)

TRANSLATIONS

Language	Name
English	1,2-dibromoethane
French	dibromure d'ethylene
German	1,2-Dibromaethan
Danish	-
Italian	1,2-dibromoetano
Spanish	-
Greek	-
Polish	dwubromoetan
Swedish	-
Hungarian	-
Dutch	1,2-dibroomethaan

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Record last updated:	24/12/2020
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242