The Water Source, water treatment, filtration, wells, Florida

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB)

Source
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene is an aromatic, colorless organic liquid. The greatest use of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene is primarily as a dye carrier. It is also used to make herbicides and other organic chemicals; as a solvent; in wood preservatives; in abrasives. It was once used as a soil treatment for termite control.

Current production figures on 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene are not available. EPA estimated 1983 production to be in the range of 3 to 8 million pounds, with imports over 3 million pounds.

Major environmental releases of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene are due to its manufacture and use as a dye carrier. From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene releases to land and water totalled over 180,000 pounds. These releases were primarily from textile finishing industries. The largest releases occurred in North Carolina and Virginia.

What happens to 1,2,4-TCB when it is released to the environment? 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene binds well to the soil and therefore will not leach appreciably to the groundwater when released to land. However, 1,2,4-TCB has been detected in some groundwater samples which indicates that it can be transported there by some process. If released to water it will largely evaporate within a few hours. It has some potential to accumulate in fish.

Effect:
Short-term: EPA has found 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: changes in liver, kidneys and adrenal glands.

Long-term: 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: increased adrenal gland weights.

Treatment:
Granular activated charcoal