1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If a spill of this chemical occurs, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with acetone and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with acetone to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with acetone followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)

1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene has been detected in 13 of 108 samples of human adipose tissue at a mean concn of 30 ng/g(1). Combined trichlorobenzene and tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected in human adipose tissue in Slovenia at a concn of 60 ng/g and in human hair samples at 40 ng/g(2). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was identified, not quantified, in the adipose tissue of non-occupationally exposed individuals in Germany(3). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was detected at an avg concn in human blood of 5.1 ng/g and adipose tissue at 0.41 ng/g(4).

Since TeCB's can increase cytochrome p450 levels, ... it appears to induce metabolic enzymes. /This/ induction of microsomal enzyme activity has been shown to enhance the metabolism of a wide variety of drugs, pesticides and other xenobiotics. Exposure to TeCB could therefore result in decreased pharmacologic and/or toxicologic activity of numerous compounds. /In the event/ that chemical agents are metabolized to more active or toxic reactive intermediates ... exposure to TeCB would result in enhanced activity and/or toxicity of these agents. /Tetrachlorobenzenes/

LC50 Bluegill sunfish 57.8 mg/l/24 hr; 11.5 mg/l/48hr; 6.42 mg/l/96hr.

LC50 Sheepshead Minnow > 7.5 mg/l/24 hr; 5.59 mg/l/48hr; 3.67 mg/l/96hr.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), and log Koc values in the range of 3.2-4.2(2,3), 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is expected to have low mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is expected from moist soil surfaces given its Henry's Law constant of 1.6X10-3 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C(4), but adsorption may attenuate this process(SRC). Volatilization of 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene from dry soil surfaces is not expected(SRC) based on a vapor pressure of 0.07 mm Hg at 25 °C(4). A half-life of 45 days in sewage sludge amended soil suggests that biodegradation of 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene will be slow(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), and a log Koc value of 3.9(2) measured in sediment, 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(3,SRC) given its Henry's Law constant of 1.6X10-3 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C(4), but adsorption may attenuate this process(SRC). Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 5 and 150 hours, respectively when neglecting adsorption(3,SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model pond is 36 days when adsorption is considered(5). According to a classification scheme(6), BCF values in the range of 1,300 to 3,600 measured in fish(7-9), suggest that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). A half-life of 19 days in an acclimated anaerobic sediment slurry suggests that biodegradation of 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene will be slow(10). When irradiated with light greater than 285 nm, this compound was degraded 66 percent in 40 hrs in a water solution(11), suggesting that photolysis in surface waters may be important(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene, which has a vapor pressure of 0.07 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 80 days(SRC) from its estimated rate constant of 2.0X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3).

1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was detected in carrots (0.0297 ug/kg (peel)) and potatoes (0.0216 ug/kg (peel)) sampled in the UK(1). Combined 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected in the following oils: corn (0.04 mg/kg), rape (0.005 mg/kg), sunflower (0.001 mg/kg), peanut (0.001 mg/kg), sesame (0.005 mg/kg) walnut (0.005 mg/kg), hazelnut (0.01 mg/kg) and poppy (0.005 mg/kg)(2).

Combined 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected in herring gull eggs from the Detroit River at mean concns of 0.01-0.45 ppm(1). Combined 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected in herring gull eggs near Lake Huron at median concns of 0.5-201 ng/g(2) and near Lake Superior at concns of 0.004-0.01 ug/g(3). Combined 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected in eggs of terns (0.002 and 0.005 mg/kg), double-crested cormorant (0.003 mg/kg) and black-crowned night herons (0.005 and 0.002 mg/kg)(4).

Combined tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected at concns of 38-1,800,000 ng/cu m in the effluent of a waste gasification and combustion pilot plant(1) and detected at concns of 74.7 and 48 ng/cu m in the effluent of a hazardous waste incinerator in Biebesheim, Germany(2). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was identified, not quantified, in the effluent from a coal-fired power plant(3). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was detected at a concn of 0.3 ug/cu m in the effluent of a hazardous waste incinerator in Germany(4). Combined tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected at concns of 0.01-0.11 ug/l in the effluent of 2 Dow Chemical plants near the St. Claire River, Canada(5). 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was identified, not quantified, in pulp mill effluents in Canada(6). Combined tetrachlorobenzene isomers were detected at concns of 29 and 57 ug/cu m in the effluent of municipal refuse incinerators located in Virginia and Ohio, respectively(7).

Log Koc values of 4.2(1) and 3.2(2) were reported for 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene. A log Koc value of 3.9 was measured for 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene in sediment obtained from Ise Bay, Japan(3) According to a recommended classification scheme(4), these Koc values suggest that 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene has low mobility in soil(SRC).

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. 1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene is included on this list.