1,2-Dichloroethane, also called ethylene dichloride (EDC), is a manufactured chemical that is not found naturally in the environment. It is a clear liquid and has a pleasant smell and sweet taste.
The most common use of EDC is in the production of vinyl chloride, which is used to make a variety of plastic and vinyl products including:
On 16 July 2003, Botany Bay Council sampled Botany Golf Course's bore water supply and found elevated levels of EDC. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has tested other bores in the area. All shallow bores, which are the type found at homes, have found no detectable levels of EDC.
EDC is highly volatile and most will evaporate into the air within a few hours.Any that remains will travel down through the soil and re-enter the ground water system.
Exposure to EDC occurs through breathing air or drinking water that contains EDC. EDC can also be absorbed through the skin, but at the concentrations discovered in the Botany Golf Course bore water supply, any effects from skin contact are likely to be minimal.
At the levels detected at Botany it is unlikely that there will be any health effects.
Exposure to undiluted EDC has been known to cause:
Nervous system disorders, liver and kidney diseases, and lung effects have been reported in humans ingesting or inhaling extremely large amounts of EDC.
Some factory workers exposed to high levels of EDC over many years have had a high rate of cancer. It hasn't been determined if the cancer was due to EDC or other chemicals used in the factories. For the exposure levels likely to be found in Botany, any association between EDC and cancer has not been observed.
Animal studies suggest that EDC does not produce birth defects.
Children are not thought to be affected any differently than adults by EDC.
EDC does not bioaccumulate in fish or other sea animals. The physical and chemical properties of this compound indicated that bioaccumulation is not likely to occur.
There are Australian drinking water guidelines that specify the maximum acceptable level for EDC.
When it has been measured, general levels of EDC are found to be low. It is thought the main exposure route is via breathing.
Until further advice is provided we continue to recommend the following precautionary measures:
Further information can be obtained from your local public health unit. In NSW call 1300 066 055 to talk to your local Public Health Unit