Approximately 300 million pounds of ethylene dibromide are produced annually in the United States. In addition, an estimated 650,000 gasoline station attendants are potentially exposed to very low levels of ethylene dibromide. However, toxic interaction effects with other chemicals were not considered in the development of this recommended standard.
Ethylene dibromide itself is a very toxic compound.
Reported adverse health effects of employees chronically exposed to ethylene dibromide may include the induction of cancer and sterility as well as malformations and heritable changes in offspring. Ethylene dibromide may also cause adverse effects to the liver, kidneys, heart, and other internal organs and systems. Skin contact with ethylene dibromide may cause chemical burns as well as systemic effects due to absorption of ethylene dibromide through the skin. Disulfiram may also be used as a fungicide and insecticide. Disulfiram is widely used in alcoholism control programs under the tradenames Antabuse and Ro-Sulfiram .