PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for 

Dichloropropenes. 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 these substances 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 1-800-232-4636. 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

This public health statement tells you about dichloropropenes and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the 

nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term 

federal clean-up activities. 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, and 2,3-Dichloropropene have been found in at least 2, 9, 107, 

and 3 of the 1,699 current or former NPL sites, respectively. 3,3-Dichloropropene was not identified in 

any of the 1,699 current or former NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this 

substance is not known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which dichloropropenes are found 

may increase in the future as more sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites 

may be sources of exposure and exposure to dichloropropenes may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to dichloropropenes, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These 

factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with these 

substances. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, 

family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Most of the information on dichloropropenes is for one type of dichloropropene, 1,3-dichloropropene. 

There is much less information for 2,3-dichloropropene, almost no information on 1,2-dichloropropene, 

and no information on 1,1- and 3,3-dichloropropene. 

1.1 WHAT ARE DICHLOROPROPENES? 

Description Five types (or isomers) of dichloropropene exist: 1,1-dichloropropene, 

1,2-dichloropropene, 1,3-dichloropropene, 2,3-dichloropropene, and 

3,3-dichloropropene. 

1,3-Dichloropropene is a colorless liquid with a sweet smell. It dissolves in 

water and evaporates easily. 

Uses 1,3-Dichloropropene is used mainly in farming to kill tiny pests called 

nematodes that eat the roots of important crops. 

2,3-Dichloropropene is produced and used in industry to make other 

chemicals. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO DICHLOROPROPENES WHEN THEY ENTER THE 

ENVIRONMENT? 

Sources When 1,3-dichloropropene is used in farm fields, it is sprayed into the ground. 

Some of the 1,3-dichloropropene in air may be washed down onto the 

ground, lakes, or streams by rain. 

Break down 

 • Air 

 • Water and 

soil 

1,3-Dichloropropene is quickly broken down in air, usually within several 

days. 

Some of the 1,3-dichloropropene in soil and water will evaporate into the air. 

The rest will be broken down through biodegradation pathways and 

hydrolysis. 

Information on what happens to 1,1-, 1,2-, 2,3-, and 3,3-dichloropropene 

when they enter the environment is not available. Based on their physical 

and chemical properties, these substances are expected to behave similarly 

to 1,3-dichloropropene. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO DICHLOROPROPENES? 

Data regarding human exposure to 1,1-, 1,2-, 2,3-, and 3,3-dichloropropene were not located in 

the available literature. Exposure of the general population to these substances is expected to 

be low since they are not produced or used in large quantities. 

Air—primary 

source of 

exposure 

The primary way you can be exposed to 1,3-dichloropropene is by breathing 

air containing it. 

1,3-Dichloropropene is rarely detected in urban air samples; measured 

levels are usually less than 0.5 parts per billion (ppb). Higher levels (5 ppb 

and lower) were measured in areas with high 1,3-dichloropropene use. 

Water and soil Low levels of 1,3-dichloropropene have been measured in water samples; 

the average concentration was 0.5 ppb. 

1,3-Dichloropropene is rarely detected in soil samples. 

Workplace Workers involved in the handling and application of 1,3-dichloropropene as a 

soil fumigant can be exposed to the chemical in air and through dermal 

contact. 

Crops 1,3-Dichloropropene has not been detected in foods grown in fields treated 

with the chemical. 

1.4 HOW CAN DICHLOROPROPENES ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Enter your body 

 • Inhalation 

• Ingestion 

• Dermal 

contact 

When you breathe air containing 1,3- dichloropropene or 

2,3-dichloropropene, most of the chemical will rapidly enter your body 

through your lungs. 

1,3-Dichloropropene and 2,3-dichloropropene in food or water may also 

rapidly enter your body through the digestive tract. 

It is likely that dichloropropenes will enter through your skin when you come 

into contact with liquids containing them. 

Leave your body Once in your body, dichloropropenes are broken down into other chemicals. 

Most of these other chemicals leave your body in the urine within few days. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.5 HOW CAN DICHLOROPROPENES AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

Humans 

 • Inhalation 

 • Oral 

 • Dermal 

Inhalation of dichloropropenes may cause respiratory effects such as 

irritation, chest pain, and cough. 

Oral exposure may cause gastrointestinal effects that include irritation, 

erosion of the stomach lining, diarrhea, and bleeding. 

Dermal exposure may cause dermatitis and dermal sensitization. 

Laboratory 

animals 

 • Inhalation 

 • Oral 

 • Dermal 

Animal studies have shown that inhalation of 1,3- or 2,3-dichloropropene 

can result in changes in the lining of the nose. 

Long-term exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene can cause damage to the lining 

of the urinary bladder and anemia. 

Oral exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene can result in damage to the stomach 

lining and anemia in animals. 

Skin and eye irritation are seen in animals after 1,3-dichloropropene gets on 

their skin or in their eyes. 

Cancer The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that 

1,3-dichloropropene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that 

1,3-dichloropropene is a possible carcinogen. EPA classified 

1,3-dichloropropene as a probable human carcinogen. 

1.6 HOW CAN DICHLOROPROPENES AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children There are no studies evaluating the effect of dichloropropenes exposure on 

children or immature animals. It is likely that children would have the same 

health effects as adults. We do not know whether children would be more 

sensitive than adults to the effects of dichloropropenes. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Birth defects We do not know if dichlororpropenes will cause birth defects in people. 

Birth defects have not been seen in animals. 

1,3-Dichloropropene did not cause birth defects in animals, but pregnant 

rats that breathed it gave birth to fewer rat pups or pups with lower body 

weight. These effects only happened at exposures high enough to be toxic 

to the mother and reduce her food intake. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO 

DICHLOROPROPENES? 

Avoid fields 

during pesticide 

application 

Families can reduce their exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene by staying away 

from treated fields during pesticide application. 

Workers who handle 1,3-dichloropropene should wash their hands before 

entering their homes and keep contaminated clothing isolated before it is 

washed. 

Children should be encouraged to wash their hands after playing near 

treated soil and discouraged from putting their hands in their mouths. 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO 

DICHLOROPROPENES? 

Detecting 

exposure 

It is possible to measure 1,3- or 2,3-dichloropropene or their breakdown 

products in blood and urine. 

Measuring 

exposure 

In humans, the levels of 1,3-dichloropropene break down products in the 

urine could be used to predict how much 1,3-dichloropropene has been 

inhaled. 

Tests for 1,3- or 2,3-dichloropropene in the blood and urine would only be 

useful for recent exposures, because dichloropropenes leave the body 

within 1–2 days. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels, that is, levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value that is usually based on levels that 

affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes these not-toexceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times (an 8-hour 

workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. 

Some regulations and recommendations for dichloropropenes include the following: 

Drinking water The EPA has determined that exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene in drinking 

water at concentrations of 0.03 parts per million (ppm) for 1 or 10 days is 

not expected to cause any noncancerous adverse effects in a child. 

1.10 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 contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and technical 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Dichloropropenes CAS # 26952-23-8 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

assistance number at 1-800-CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing 

to: 

 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

 Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine 

 1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-32 

 Atlanta, GA 30333 

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

 National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

 5285 Port Royal Road 

 Springfield, VA 22161 

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

 Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/