Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
EDB is a probable human carcinogen with a very low MCL (0.05 ppb) reflecting its high toxicity. It can cause liver, stomach, and reproductive system problems. Workers exposed to high levels suffered serious neurological damage.
📍 Sources in Water
Was used as a gasoline additive (anti-knock agent) and soil fumigant on crops including soybeans, cotton, and citrus. Banned in 1984. Residues persist in some groundwater supplies near former agricultural or fuel storage areas.
✅ What To Do
Activated carbon and reverse osmosis effectively remove EDB. Violations are uncommon but can still occur in former agricultural areas or near old fuel storage sites.
📜 Regulation History
The EPA set the EDB MCL at 0.00005 mg/L (0.05 ppb) in 1987 under the Phase I VOC rule, with an MCLG of zero. EDB was banned as a soil fumigant in 1984 and as a gasoline additive shortly after. The very low MCL reflects its high carcinogenic potency. The WHO guideline for EDB is also very low at 0.0004 mg/L.
🔬 How To Test Your Water
Certified lab tests for EDB cost $50-$100 using EPA Method 504.1 or 524.2. Home test kits are not available. Testing is relevant for private wells near former agricultural fumigation sites or old fuel storage facilities.
💧 Which Filters Remove Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)?
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration is effective at removing EDB. Reverse osmosis also works. Air stripping can reduce EDB due to its volatility. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for VOC reduction.
🔗 Related Contaminants
Check your tap water for Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.