Evaluation pf methodology for determining 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) in ambient air

EDB (ethylene dibromide) is of regulatory interest because it has cancer inducing properties and is a causative agent of aspermia. Methodology used in determining the extent of exposure of workers to EDB in a citrus fumigation facility was evaluated. The purpose of this effort was to develop and/or evaluate the methodology. A number of solid adsorbents were evaluated for trapping EDB. Charcoal was found to be the most efficient for this application. The influence of a number of factors, e.g., humidity, biphenyl concentration and solvents, on trapping and elution efficiency was determined. The level of sensitivity attained in these studies exceeds that necessary to monitor the proposed standard of a maximum of 1 mg/m3 for a 15 min occupational exposure.