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U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs)

Environmental Occurrence

Halogenated Alkanes

Bromochloromethane

In the past, bromochloromethane (BCM, also referred to as chlorobromomethane) was used as a fire-extinguishing fluid, explosive suppression agent, and intermediate and solvent in the manufacture of pesticides and other products (HSDB). On July 18, 2003, EPA issued a ruleAdobe PDF Logo for the protection of stratospheric ozone by phaseout of chlorobromomethane production and consumption.

EPA's Toxics Release Inventory Program does not track BCM.

BCM has been found in groundwater at some Superfund sites (e.g., Endicott Village Well Field, Hill Air Force Base, Motorola Inc. 52nd Street Plant), but it was not listed as a detected chemical in a 1999-2002 nationwide U.S. Geological Survey assessment of VOCs in aquifer and drinking water wells (Zorgorski et al. 2006). A search of EPA's CERCLIS Database yielded 27 hazardous sites that listed bromochloromethane and three sites for chlorobromomethane, with one overlap. A review of these sites indicates that the compound occurs at very low levels and probably does not occur at any site as a DNAPL.

References

Chlorobromomethane, CASRN: 74-97-5
PubChem
PubChem, National Center for Biotechnology Information.

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The Quality of Our Nation's Waters: Volatile Organic Compounds in the Nation's Ground Water and Drinking-Water Supply WellsAdobe PDF Logo
Zogorski, J., J.M. Carter, T. Ivahnenko, W.W. Lapham, M.J. Moran, B.L. Rowe, P.J. Squillace, and P.L. Toccalino.
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1292, 112 pp, 2006

Adobe PDF LogoProtection of Stratospheric Ozone: Phaseout of Chlorobromomethane Production and Consumption
U.S. EPA.
Federal Register 68(138):42883-42895(2003 July 18)