Since the Fall of 1983, there has been heightened public concern about the possible health effects of ethylene dibromide (EDB), a chemical which has caused cancer in laboratory animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the pesticidal use of EDB for oil fumigation in September 1983 after discovering that EDB could migrate into groundwater supplies. In December 1983 that State of Florida stopped the sale of food products which contained any detectable levels of EDB, since no Federally approved safe levels had ever been established. In February and March of 1984 EPA banned most other pesticidal uses of EDB, and recommended certain residue levels as a guide to state actions. Since that time, some of the controversy has quieted.
This paper addresses the background of EDB, its uses, and EPA's regulatory proposals and actions.
James V. Aidala, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division.
CRS 84-591 ENR
"February 8, 1984."
"Revised March 27, 1984."
SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3
