Volatile Organic Contaminants     Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCL) and health effects.                                                                                                9-22-2007 Burning trash is bad -- EPA claims VOCs in sludge don't harm you? Volatile Organic Compounds People in the immediate vicinity of a burn barrel are also exposed to high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by open burning. Many VOCs are harmful to humans. They also contribute to ground-level ozone pollution, also known as smog, which can worsen respiratory, heart, and other existing health problems. Inhaling certain VOCs can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation; headache; loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. http://www.epa.gov/msw/backyard/health.htm#dioxins EPA Office of Drinking Water considers it to be a real possibility that these organic chemicals do not dissipate in the environment as fast as the sludge disposal group at EPA would have us believe.  As the drinking water group show, these could be some of the most dangerous chemicals found in sludge biosolids. Volatile Organic chemicals were not addressed in the Part 503 sludge risk assessment or rule, now referred to as the biosolids rule. EPA assumed the organic chemicals evaporated before sludge bisolids were disposed of on farmland and would not damage the health of the neighbors of the sludge disposal site. Benzene The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found benzene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: temporary nervous system disorders, immune system depression, anemia. Long-term: Benzene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: chromosome aberrations, cancer. Carbon Tetrachloride The MCL has been set at 5 part per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found carbon tetrachloride to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: liver, kidney and lung damage. Long-term: Carbon tetrachloride has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver damage; cancer. Chlorobenzene   The MCL has been set at 0.1 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found chlorobenzene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: anesthetic effects and impaired liver and kidney function. Long-term: Chlorobenzene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. o-Dichlorobenzene The MCL has been set at 0.6 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: o-DCB is not known to cause any health problems when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time. Long-term: o-DCB has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys and blood cells. p-Dichlorobenzene The MCL has been set at 75 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found p-DCB to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: nausea, vomiting, headaches, and irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Long-term: p-DCB has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: anemia, skin lesions, appetite loss, damage to liver and changes in blood. 1,1-Dichloroethylene The MCL has been set at 7 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found 1,1-DCE to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: liver damage. Long-term: 1,1-DCE has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver and kidney damage, as well as toxicity to the developing fetus; cancer. cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene The MCLs have also been set at 0.07 ppm for the cis form, Short-term: EPA has found cis- and trans-1,2-DCE to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: central nervous system depression. Long-term: Both cis- and trans-1,2-DCE have the potential to cause liver, circulatory and nervous system damage from long-term exposure at levels above the MCL. trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene The MCLs have also been set at  0.1 ppm for the trans form. EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Health effects same as above except, The trans form is approximately twice as potent as the cis form in its ability to depress the central nervous system. Dichloromethane The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found dichloromethane to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: Damage to the nervous system and to blood. Long-term: Dichloromethane has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver damage; cancer. 1,2-Dichloroethane The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found 1,2-dichloroethane to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: central nervous system disorders, and adverse lung, kidney, liver circulatory and gastrointestinal effects. Long-term: 1,2-Dichloroethane has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: cancer. 1,2-Dichloropropane The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found 1,2-DCP to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: damage to the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Long-term: 1,2-DCP has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: the liver, kidneys, bladder, gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract; cancer. Ethylbenzene The MCL has also been set at 0.7 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found ethylbenzene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: drowsiness, fatigue, headache and mild eye and respiratory irritation. Long-term: Ethylbenzene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to the liver, kidneys, central nervous system and eyes. Styrene The MCL has been set at 0.1 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found styrene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: nervous system effects such as depression, loss of concentration, weakness, fatigue and nausea. Long-term: Styrene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver and nerve tissue damage; cancer. Tetrachloroethylene The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Some people who drink water containing tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene The MCL has also been set at 0.07 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: changes in liver, kidneys and adrenal glands Long-term: 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: increased adrenal gland weights 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane   The MCL has been set at 0.2 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found 1,1,1-TCA to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: damage to the liver, nervous system and circulatory system. Long-term: 1,1,1-TCA has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver, nervous system and circulatory system damage. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane The MCL has been set at 5 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Trichloroethylene   Short-term: EPA has found 1,1,2-TCE to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: irritation of gastrointestinal tract; red or hemorrhaged lungs; pale liver. Long-term: 1,1,2-TCE has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to liver and kidneys; cancer. TRICHLOROETHYLENE The MCL has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Some people who drink water containing trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Toluene The MCL has also been set at 1 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found toluene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: minor nervous system disorders such as fatigue, nausea, weakness, confusion. Long-term: Toluene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: more pronounced nervous disorders such as spasms, tremors, impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory, coordination; liver and kidney damage. Vinyl Chloride The MCL has been set at 2 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found vinyl chloride to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at high levels (40 - 900 mg/L) for relatively short periods of time: damage to the nervous system. Long-term: Vinyl chloride has the potential to cause cancer and may damage the liver following a lifetime exposure at levels above 0.1 mg/L. Xylenes   The MCL has been set at 10 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. Short-term: EPA has found xylenes to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: disturbances of cognitive abilities, balance, and coordination. Long-term: Xylenes has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.