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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE 

CAS#: 96-12-8 

Division of Toxicology September 1992 

This Public Health Statement is the summary 

chapter from the Toxicological Profile for 1,2­

Dibromo-3-chloropropane. It is one in a series of 

Public Health Statements about hazardous 

substances and their health effects. A shorter 

version, the ToxFAQsTM is also available. This 

information is important because this substance may 

harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous 

substance depend on the dose, the duration, how 

you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and 

whether other chemicals are present. For more 

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 

1-888-422-8737. 

This Statement was prepared to give you 

information about 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

and to emphasize the human health effects that may 

result from exposure to it. The Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) has identified 1,177 sites 

on its National Priorities List (NPL) sites. 1,2­

Dibromo-3-chloropropane has been found at 8 of 

these sites. However, we do not know how many of 

the 1,177 NPL sites have been evaluated for 1,2­

dibromo- 3-chloropropane. As EPA evaluates more 

sites, the number of sites at which 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane is found may change. This 

information is important for you because 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane may cause harmful health 

effects and because these sites are potential or 

actual sources of human exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane. 

When a chemical is released from a large area such 

as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a 

drum or bottle, it enters the environment as a 

chemical emission. This emission, which is also 

called a release, does not always lead to exposure. 

You are exposed to a chemical only when you come 

into contact with that chemical. You may be 

exposed to it in the environment by breathing, 

eating, or drinking substances containing the 

chemical or from skin contact with it. 

If you are exposed to a hazardous substance such as 

1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, several factors will 

determine whether harmful health effects will occur 

and what the type and severity of those health 

effects will be. These factors include the dose (how 

much), the duration (how long), the route or 

pathway by which you are exposed (breathing, 

eating, drinking, or skin contact), the other 

chemicals to which you are exposed, and your 

individual characteristics such as age, sex, 

nutritional status, family traits, lifestyle, and state of 

health. 

1.1 WHAT IS 1,2-DIBROMO-3-

CHLOROPROPANE? 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is a colorless liquid 

with a sharp smell. It can be smelled in air at 2 parts 

chemical in 1 million parts of air. It evaporates 

about as fast as water does, which is not very 

quickly. 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane will dissolve 

in water to a very limited extent. It can be tasted in 

water when 0.01 mg chemical is present in 1 liter of 

water. It is a man-made chemical not found 

naturally in the environment. We do not know 

exactly how much of it is currently made or used by 

industry, but it is probably a small amount. Some 

industries use 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane to 

make a chemical that is used to make materials 

resistant to burning. Large amounts of 1,2-dibromo3-chloropropane were used in the past on certain 

farms to kill pests that were harmful to the crops. 

Farmers in Hawaii stopped using this chemical in 

1985; use in other states stopped in 1979. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE 

CAS#: 96-12-8 

Division of Toxicology September 1992 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane breaks down slowly 

in the air. Most of the 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

that is released to the air disappears within several 

months. Most of this chemical that enters surface 

water evaporates into the air within several days or 

a week. It does not stick to the soil at the bottom of 

rivers, lakes, or ponds. We do not expect fish or 

other seafood from water containing 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane to build up large amounts of this 

chemical in their bodies. Some of what is spilled on 

or applied to soil moves through the soil into the 

groundwater, where it may remain for a long time. 

Some of the 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in soil 

evaporates from the surface of the soil into the air. 

Small amounts may stay in the soil for several 

years. This chemical also breaks down slowly to 

simpler chemicals in water and soil. 

1.2 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO 1,2-

DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE? 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is not usually found 

in the environment (air, water, and soil). 

Sometimes, however, it is found in the soil and 

underground water from cropland where it has been 

used as a pesticide. It has been found in well-water 

near farms where 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane was 

used. It has been found in food grown on farms that 

used the chemical and at some hazardous waste 

sites. Foods today most likely do not contain this 

chemical. 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane can enter the 

environment while it is being made or used in 

industry and research. Because this chemical is not 

used very much, the releases are probably small. 

Releases and disposal of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane at waste sites can lead to higher than 

usual levels in the nearby air, water, and soil. 

We do not know exactly what amounts of 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane are usually found in the 

air, surface water, and soil. However, based on the 

limited usage in the past 5-10 years, we expect that 

levels where the chemical has not been used or 

discarded are either low or nonexistent. In areas 

where the chemical has been used as a soil 

fumigant, it may still be present in soil and 

groundwater at low levels. 

You can be exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane by drinking water or eating certain 

foods that may still contain the compound. You 

might also be exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane by breathing air containing it. 

Exposure may happen if you live near a hazardous 

waste site that has released 1,2­

dibromochloropropane to the air, water, or soil. 

Exposure can also occur in the workplace from 

spills or other accidents or even during routine 

handling. We do not know how much 1,2-dibromo3-chloropropane the general public or workers are 

exposed to or how often they are exposed to it. 

However, the limited use of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane in recent years suggests that 

exposure is minimal and infrequent. 

1.3 HOW CAN 1,2-DIBROMO-3-

CHLOROPROPANE ENTER AND LEAVE 

MY BODY? 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane can enter your body 

through the lungs if you breathe air contaminated 

with it. It can also enter your body if you drink 

contaminated water or eat contaminated food. It can 

enter through your skin if it comes into contact with 

your skin. We do not know exactly how much or 

how fast 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane enters your 

body through your lungs after breathing it or 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE 

CAS#: 96-12-8 

Division of Toxicology September 1992 

through your skin after skin contact with it. Studies 

in animals show that almost all the 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane that they swallowed entered the 

bloodstream quickly. Inside the body, 1,2-dibromo3-chloropropane is carried by the blood to many 

organs and breaks down into other chemicals also 

called breakdown products. These breakdown 

products can attach to some chemicals inside the 

cells of your body and may cause harmful effects in 

the liver, kidneys, or male reproductive organs. 

Most of the breakdown products are removed from 

your body quickly, but they may stay in fatty tissue 

for a longer period of time. The breakdown 

products of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane leave the 

body in urine and in the air you breathe out. Only a 

small amount leaves in the stool. 

1.4 HOW CAN 1,2-DIBROMO-3-

CHLOROPROPANE AFFECT MY 

HEALTH? 

Studies of workers in chemical factories that 

produced 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane showed that 

its main harmful effect is on male reproductive 

organs. Men exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane in the air may have more girl 

children than boy children, produce fewer sperm, 

and eventually become unable to father children. 

We do not know the exact levels of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane in air that cause these effects. Studies 

of workers have also suggested that 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane may cause headache, nausea, 

lightheadedness, and weakness. No adverse effect 

on reproduction was seen in people who drank 

water contaminated with small amounts (0.004-5.75 

parts in a billion parts of water) of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane. Studies in animals show that 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane may cause birth defects 

in the offspring of adult rats exposed to large 

amounts. However, human exposure to 1,2­

dibromo- 3-chloropropane that occurred at work or 

by drinking contaminated water has not been linked 

with birth defects. Some people have smelled the 

sharp odor of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane when 

only small amounts were present, 2 parts in 1 

million parts of air (2 ppm). 

Some laboratory animals died after they breathed in, 

received large amounts in their food, or had skin 

contact with 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. Rats 

and mice that survived breathing in or eating large 

amounts of 1,2-dibromo- 3-chloropropane had 

damaged stomachs, livers, and kidneys. 

Incoordination and sleepiness were seen in animals 

that breathed or took large amounts of 1,2-dibromo3-chloropropane by mouth. Animals that breathed 

large amounts of this chemical also had damaged 

brains. In addition, rats and mice that breathed large 

amounts in 1,2-dibromo- 3-chloropropane had 

damaged air passages and lungs. Some laboratory 

animals that breathed large amounts of 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane had damaged spleens, 

low blood cell production in the bone marrow, or 

decreased amounts of blood cells in the blood. 

Rabbits that had 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

placed in contact with their eyes and skin had 

irritated eyes, cloudy corneas, and damaged skin. 

Female rats mated with male rats that received lowto-moderate doses of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

in their food for 5 days had miscarriages. Rats and 

rabbits that breathed in or received low doses of 

1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in their food for less 

than 1 year had harmful effects on their 

reproductive organs. Male offspring of rats that 

were exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

while they were pregnant also had harmful effects 

on their reproductive organs. Laboratory animals 

that were exposed to low-to-moderate amounts of 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE 

CAS#: 96-12-8 

Division of Toxicology September 1992 

1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane through breathing, 

swallowing, or skin contact for a long time period 

developed cancer. Cancerous tumors on the inside 

of the nose were seen after animals breathed 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane for long periods. Cancer 

of the stomach and kidneys was seen after animals 

were given this chemical by mouth for long periods. 

Cancer of the stomach and skin was seen after 

animals had skin contact with this chemical for long 

periods. The Department of Health and Human 

Services has determined that 1,2-dibromo- 3­

chloropropane may reasonably be anticipated to be 

a carcinogen. The International Agency for 

Research on Cancer has determined that 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane is possibly carcinogenic 

to humans. 

1.5 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO 

DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN 

EXPOSED TO 1,2-DIBROMO-3-

CHLOROPROPANE? 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane can be measured in 

exhaled air, blood, and samples of tissues from the 

body. Samples must be collected shortly after 

exposure because 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 

leaves your body rapidly after exposure. If a large 

exposure has occurred, levels may be detected for 

longer after exposure than if a small exposure has 

occurred. The levels of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane cannot be used to predict whether or 

not you will experience adverse health effects. 

These tests are probably not available through your 

doctor's office, but your doctor can refer you to a 

place where they can be done. Biological changes in 

the human body have been studied after 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane exposure, but they have 

not been used to tell whether exposure occurred. 

Exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane causes 

lower production of sperm. Therefore, sperm counts 

and the blood levels of certain hormones (follicular 

stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone) can be 

checked in exposed men to find out whether 

harmful effects have occurred. However, these 

changes have not been linked with exposure levels 

of the chemical or lengths of exposure to the 

chemical. Furthermore, the hormonal changes are 

not sensitive enough to detect minor changes in 

sperm counts. 

1.6 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

recommends that the amount of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane that is found in underground 

drinking water be kept to low levels. The highest 

recommended level is 100 micrograms of 1,2­

dibromo-3-chloropropane per liter of water (μg/L). 

Furthermore, EPA requires that industries report 

spills of 1 pound or more of 1,2-dibromo-3­

chloropropane. EPA banned the use of this chemical 

as a pesticide in the United States in the early 

1980s. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA) recommends that the amount of 1,2­

dibromo- 3-chloropropane in workplace air be kept 

to low levels. The highest level allowed in the 

workplace is 1 part in one billion parts of air (ppb), 

for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE 

CAS#: 96-12-8 

Division of Toxicology September 1992 

1.7 WHERE CAN I GET MORE 

INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, 

please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department or: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology 

1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32 

Atlanta, GA 30333 

Information line and technical assistance: 

Phone: 888-422-8737 

FAX: (770)-488-4178 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of 

occupational and environmental health clinics. 

These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, 

and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to 

hazardous substances. 

To order toxicological profiles, contact: 

National Technical Information Service 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000 

Reference 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR). 1992. Toxicological profile for 1,2­

Dibromo-3-chloropropane. Atlanta, GA: U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, Public 

Health Service. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov