Chemical name: Ethane, 1,2-dichloro-

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 formulations and uses are prohibited.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

None

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: No

Summary of the final regulatory action:

It is prohibited to production, use and place on the market all plant protection products containing Ethylene dichloride according to annual adopted list of active ingredients banned for use in plant protection products under the ?lant Protection Act. The chemical is designated as a PIC chemical. (Annex I of the Regulation on the import and export of certain dangerous chemicals on the Bulgarian territory). The import and use of the chemical for research or laboratory purposes in quantities less than 10 kg are allowed.

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

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The use of 1,2-dichloroethane as a plant protection product, in particular to fumigate plants and soil, is likely to give rise to harmful effects on human and animal health as well as unreasonable adverse influence on the environment. Ethylene dichloride is readily absorbed into the body through the skin, by inhalation of the vapour and by ingestion. The first symptoms of acute intoxication are headache, dizziness, weakness, muscular spasms and vomiting, irritation of mucous membranes of the eyes and the respiratory tract. The exposure can also lead to changes in the blood and in the heart rhythm (cardiovascular insufficiency) which may be lethal. Kidneys and liver changes have also been recorded as a result of exposure.

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

Decrease of hazards and risks to human health.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Because ethylene dichloride is released principally in emissions from industrial sources and because of its high volatility, the atmosphere is the predominant environmental sink for ethylene dichloride. It is moderately persistent in air. Stratospheric photolysis may produce chlorine radicals, which may in turn react with ozone. However, the ozone depleting potential is low (0.001 relative to CFC-11), and the compound is not listed in the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Terrestrial organisms will have the greatest potential for exposure Ethylene dichloride in ambient air. However, available data on the effects of ethylene dichloride are inadequate to allow the characterization of risks in terrestrial species. Although ethylene dichloride may be released to surface waters or soil through industrial processes and disposal, and although hydrolysis and microbial degradation are slow, the substance is not likely to persist in these media because of its volatility. A range of toxicity tests in aquatic species have indicated that effect levels are generally above 10 mg/litre. As concentrations in surface waters are generally several orders of magnitude less than those demonstrated to cause effects, it is likely that ethylene dichloride poses negligible risk to aquatic organisms.

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

To avoid and reduce exposure, hazards and risks of the chemical to the environment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/01/2004