Chemical name: Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All agricultural uses as pesticide to control pest (nematodos) on banana and plantain.

Prohibited import, formulation and sale in the national territory, and all uses of DBCP active ingredient compounds.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

N.A.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

By request of the Ministry of Health, the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario-ICA prohibits importation, formulation and sale in the national territory of all agricultural compounds containing dibromochloropropane (DBCP) active ingredient, considering the health hazards for humans and domestic animals, and the preservation of fauna and flora.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

IARC, Monographs, 20, p 83-96. 1979, found that 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane has been tested by oral administration and inhalation in mice and rats. Following oral administration, squamous cell carcinomas of the stomach were produced in animals of each species and adenocarcinomas of the mammary gland in female rats.

Likewise, there is sufficient evidence that 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane is carcinogenic in mice and rats. For practical purposes, it is considered that 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane represents a carcinogenic risk to humans.

The widespread production of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane and its use as a pesticide in the last two decades indicated that widespread human exposure occurs. Thus the IARC confirmed DBCP presence in soils and vegetables in experimental applications and observed higher sterility in groups of workers in this industry.

In the IARC evaluation, was found that after several treatments with repeated doses and single dose of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, mice developed symptoms of acute intoxication, mainly nervous system depression and weight loss. After repeated treatment, spermatogenesis effects were observed in males, as well as decreased number and viability of sperm; and zeal was inhibited in females. Severe atrophy and degeneration of the testicles were observed in rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Testicular atrophy was also observed in rats during the long-term oral carcinogenicity study.

Other authors such as Kodama and Dunlap, 1956, quoted by IARC, 1979, stated that 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane induced skin and eye irritation in rabbits. Inhalation of concentrations greater than 600 mg /m3 (60 ppm) in the air caused skin, eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract irritation; liver degeneration, neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats (Torkel son et al. 1961).

On the other hand, US EPA found occupational exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in production, formulation and manufacturing plants at levels that caused physiological changes in employees.

Ramirez and Ramirez. 1980; carried out epidemiological and laboratory studies in 72 sterile patients from a population of 630 banana workers, in procreative age, who applied the nematicide DBCP during variable times. A positive correlation (r = 0.99) highly significant between the hours of application and the percentage of sterility of the workers was found. In turn, inverse relation (p 0.05) between application times and sperm quantity was found. A higher number of hours of application of DBCP corresponds to a higher dose due to a greater exposure risk.

Meanwhile, Torkelson et al. (1961). Found that 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane caused general symptons of toxicity including poor growth, predisposition to secondary infection, and a specific histological alteration in the testicles of male rats receiving 50 repeated exposures of 7 hours at 50 ppm. This was the lowest concentration studied. The effect on the testicles resulting from exposure to higher concentrations was particularly severe, resulting in atrophy, degenerative changes, reduction of spermatogenesis, and development of abnormal spermatozoa.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

Reduction and elimination of risk for the human health for the use of active ingredient compound Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

When the Colombian authorities adopted the banning action, in 1982, for DBCP there was no data or information on the risks or hazards to the environment. Due to a lack of supporting studies, available information was insufficient with respect to the fate and behavior of the substance in the environment and its ecotoxicological properties.

However, although ecotoxic data were poor at local level, it was reported by the Colombian authorities that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on 22 September 1977 an Order and advised registration suspension of pesticide products containing 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, as these represented an "imminent danger" to humans or the environment.

Also IARC, Monographs, 20, p 83-96. 1979, explained that the use of DBCP was applied to different agricultural soils in California by injection, flooding and spraying. The chemical was still present 40 weeks after application; and distribution in soils was proportional to the size of the soil particles, with the highest concentration found in sandy soils and the lowest in clay soils (Hodges, 1972).

In field experiments, DBCP was detected in soil at levels in the average range of 0.008-1.64 mg /kg from 1 day to 16 weeks after application at a rate of 13, 75 kg /ha (Newsome et al., 1977).

In the past, the release of DBCP into the environment was mainly due to its uses as fumigant and nematocide. In 1977, 831,000 pounds of DBCP were used in California alone, mainly in grapes and tomatoes. In 1974, US farmers Applied 9.8 million pounds of DBCP in crops. All end-use product registrations were canceled in 1979, except for the use as soil fumigant against pineapple nematodes in Hawaii.

According to the EPA, what happens to DBCP when is released into the environment? DBCP released into the soil will probably evaporate or leach into groundwaters. The microbian decomposition is slowly in comparison. Once in the atmosphere, DBCP is expected to break down fairly quickly by sunlight. DBCP is not likely to accumulate in aquatic life.

In addition, due to the lack of information, there was no evaluation in Colombia for 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane route and degradation rate in soils, or contamination potential of surface and groundwaters, and there is also a large data gap for a study on the effects of DBCP on wastewaters treatment plants.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reduction and elimination of risk for the environment and human health for the use of active ingredient compound Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 08/02/1982