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State of the Science Report for Dibromoethane

Identity, Uses and Sources of Exposure

In the year 2000, less than 100 tonnes of 1,2-dibromoethane were imported into Canada for use as a fuel additive (Environment Canada, 2001a), which represents a considerable decrease from 11 000 tonnes reported during the period of compilation of the DSL (1984-1986). This decline in use coincides with the ban on the use of leaded gasoline in cars in 1990 under CEPA. As an additive, 1,2-dibromoethane prevents lead oxide build-up in engines running on leaded gasoline Exemptions on the use of leaded gasoline exist for high-performance competition vehicles (cars, boats, snowmobiles) until January 1, 2008 (Environment Canada, 2003a). 1,2-Dibromoethane is still being used in aviation gasoline in North America (Chevron, 2003) but this represents only a small percentage of total aircraft fuel. For example, in 1997, aviation gasoline comprised 1.5% of total aviation fuel and only 0.2% of Ontario's gasoline mix (Patriarche and Campbell, 1999).

1,2-Dibromoethane was also used as a soil and grain fumigant in Canada until 1984, when its application for this purpose was banned (UNEP, 2003). It continues to be used in agricultural applications in a number of countries; as a result, there may be some exposure of the general population in Canada to 1,2-dibromoethane in imported foods and beverages. Use in consumer products has not been identified.

Levels measured in ambient air in Canada are much greater than concentrations predicted by modelling release into air of the total quantity reported to be used in Canada (CEMC, 2003). This comparison suggests that sources of 1,2-dibromoethane in addition to those uses reported are contributing to exposure in Canada, such as long-range transport from other jurisdictions through advection or combustion of aviation fuel.