1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane

• Nemagon
• Fumazone
• Dibromochloropropane ( DBCP )
• (RS ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane
• (R ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane
• (S ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane

• 96-12-8 [ (RS ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane ]
• 145667-72-7 [(R ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane ]
• 145667-73-8 [(S ) -1,2 -dibromo- 3-chloropropane ]

Yellow-brown to brown liquid with a faint pungent odor

Liquid

2.09 g · cm -3 ( at 25 ° C)

6 ° C

198 ° C.

1.5 hPa ( 20 ° C)

Poorly in water (1 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)

1.5542 (20 ° C)

Risk

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

1,2- dibromo- 3-chloropropane is a drug that belongs to the group of halocarbons and was used in nematicides, for example, under the trade names Nemagon or Fumazone. It is the optically inactive racemate ( 1:1 mixture ) of (R) - and (S ) form.

1,2- dibromo- 3-chloropropane is suspected to be responsible for the poisoning of up to 20,000 workers on banana plantations in Latin America. Male farm workers were infertile due to DBCP and won the process. They were awarded compensation in the amount of 3.2 million U.S. dollars.

• 2.1 Acute Toxicity
• 2.2 Reproductive Toxicology
• 2.3 Carcinogenicity

Use

Using generally

Since the mid- 1950s to 1977 was 1,2- dibromo- 3-chloropropane applied in the United States in plant protection products for more than forty different plants. DBCP - containing products were raised by a number of companies on the market, including Dow Chemical under the name Fumazone, Occidental Petroleum under the name Oxy bbc 12 -e and by Shell under the name Nemagon. From 1977 to 1979 was the Environmental Protection Agency approval of almost all DBCP -containing preparations rest, just in pineapple cultivation in Hawaii, it could still be used. 1985, the approval for all DBCP - containing products was finally revoked and prohibited the further use of DBCP inventories.

Use in Latin America

After the action for compensation of workers of Dow Chemical, which were exposed in the production of the pesticide and thus were sterile, was decided in favor of the workers, the company of Dole Food Company DBCP recommended on their banana plantations in Latin America no longer use. Here, too, were sterilized by the pesticide sprayed from airplanes over the banana plantations people. Although she successfully sued the company for damages, they did not get their money. A follow-on action in Los Angeles said on 5 November 2007 the workers of U.S. $ 3.2 million to; the Dow and Dole will appeal the decision.

Safety

1,2- dibromo- 3-chloropropane is classified as toxic. 1,2- dibromo- 3-chloropropane can damage genetic material, may cause cancer and impair fertility. Each exposure should be avoided.

• Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances ( RTECS) Number: TX8750000

Acute toxicity

The acute toxicity is moderate; a LC50 of 996 mg/m3 were determined in animal studies with rats by inhalation; in rabbits, a NOAEL of 0.94 mg/m3 was determined for the same route of administration. For oral administration are given for different animal species NOAELs of 50-370 mg / kg body weight; the other hand, is the NOAEL if absorbed through the skin in rabbits at 1420 mg / kg body weight.

Reproductive Toxicology

More critical is the high reproductive toxicity. Long -term exposure to DBCP causes fertility problems in men. This was first observed in 1977 in chemical workers of the company Occidental Petroleum in the United States, many of which through the use of DBCP barren .. animal experiments were confirmed damage to the testes by DBCP. In the rat, a NOAEL of 1 mg / kg body weight is given for the reproductive toxicity. Which way spermatogenesis is disturbed, is unclear; an interaction of DBCP with the hormone system similar to the endocrine disruptors is discussed.

Carcinogenicity

It is unclear whether DBCP in humans can cause cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the data collected from several epidemiological studies to be inadequate. But there is sufficient evidence from animal studies showing that DBCP can cause cancer in several animal species. From this it is deduced that DBCP should be regarded as potentially carcinogenic substance in humans. Other authorities (EPA ) classify DBCP as a probable carcinogen to humans. In the recent literature it is stated that although the data in humans are still unclear, but that the data from animal experiments are sufficient for a reasonable suspicion to cause cancer in humans.