Table 2: Characteristics of Some of the Chemicals and By-Products Reportedly Present
or Released as a Result of the NATO Bombing of Electrical Transformers and
the Pancevo Petrochemical Complex in Yugoslavia¹

Guide to Acronyms | Sources

Chemical	Uses	Properties	Health Effects	Regulations, U.S. 2
Ammonia, NH3 (Synonyms: anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia) Amount reportedly released from Pancevo: 15,000 tons	Used in fertilizers, synthetic fibers, plastics, and explosives	Flammable, corrosive, colorless gas with a pungent odor Water-soluble	Exposure can cause extensive permanent damage to mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth and respiratory system, including severe pulmonary and gastrointestinal irritation, and buildup of fluid in the lungs (lung edema) which can cause death Ammonia has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals or to affect reproduction	OSHA PEL: TWA 50 ppm NIOSH REL (in air): TWA 25 ppm; ST 35 ppm NIOSH IDLH: 300 ppm
Ethylene dichloride, C2H4Cl2 (Synonyms: 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-ethylene dichloride, dichloroethylene, ethane dichloride) Amount reportedly released from Pancevo: 1,400 tons	Used to make vinyl chloride and other chemicals and to dissolve grease, dirt and glue. Removes lead from leaded gasoline	Highly flammable, explosive, clear, oily, man-made liquid with a pleasant odor and sweet taste Slightly water soluble Poisonous gases produced in fire, including hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride and phosgene	The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that 1,2-dichloroethane may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen Exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and may cause nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, headaches, dizziness, and lung edema Ingesting or breathing in high levels causes damage to heart, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Long term effects not known Animal studies show exposure causes nervous system damage, kidney disease, reduced immune function and cancer of the stomach, lung, and breast	OSHA PEL: TWA 50 ppm; C 100 ppm; 5-minute maximum in any 3 hours 200 ppm NIOSH REL (in air): TWA 1 ppm; ST 2 ppm NIOSH IDLH: Potential occupational carcinogen 50 ppm EPA drinking water limit: 0.005 ppm
Phosgene, COCl2 (Synonyms: carbonyl chloride, chloroformyl chloride) Traces reportedly found at Pancevo	Used as a chemical warfare agent during World War I. Used industrially to make polyurethanes, resins, isocyanates, synthetic foams, polymers, insecticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes	Corrosive, nonflammable, colorless to yellow gas or compressed liquified gas with an odor similar to musty hay When heated above 300oC, produces hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and chlorine gases Reacts with water, producing corrosive, pungent and toxic gases	Corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory system Short-term exposure via inhalation may cause lung edema. Exposure over a long term may cause fibrosis of the lungs. High level exposure may result in death	OSHA PEL: TWA 0.1 ppm NIOSH REL: TWA 0.1 ppm; ST 0.2 ppm NIOSH IDLH: 2 ppm
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs (Some PCB mixtures are known by their industrial trade name, Aroclor) Amount released from bombing of Yugoslav transformers: unknown	PCBs are a family of man-made chemicals comprising 209 individual compounds with varying toxicity. Used widely as coolants and lubricants in transformers and other electrical equipment due to their insulating properties. Their manufacture stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence that PCBs accumulate in the environment and could cause human health hazards.	Clear to yellow, oily liquid or solid PCBs may burn, but do not ignite readily Some PCBs produce poisonous gases in fire, including dioxin and chlorinated dibenzofurans	The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that PCBs may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens Exposure may cause reproductive and developmental effects PCBs may be passed to a child through mother's milk Some PCB mixtures may in the short-term burn the eyes, nose and throat, and in the long-term cause acne-like lesions and damage the skin and nervous system Shown to cause liver cancer and thyroid and stomach injury in animals	OSHA PEL: TWA 0.5 or 1 milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3) air, depending on the amount of chlorine present in the particular PCB compound; TWA 0.5 mg/m3 skin NIOSH REL: TWA 0.001 mg/m3 air NIOSH IDLH: Potential occupational carcinogen 5 mg/m3 FDA limit in infant foods, eggs, milk, poultry fat, fish, and shellfish: 0.2 to 3 ppm, by weight EPA drinking water limit: 0.0005 milligrams PCBs per liter water
Vinyl Chloride, C2H3Cl (Synonyms: chloroethene, chlorethene, chlorethylene, chloroethylene, ethylene monochloride, VC, and vinyl chloride monomer [VCM]) Amount reportedly released from Pancevo: 1,500 tons	Vinyl chloride is used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a resin used in many plastic and vinyl products including pipes, packaging, wire coating, upholstery, and housewares. The use of vinyl chloride as an aerosol propellant and in drug and cosmetic products has been banned in the U.S. in 1974.	Highly flammable, explosive, reactive, colorless, man-made liquid or gas with mildly sweet odor Slightly water soluble Produces poisonous gases in fire, including phosgene, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen chloride gas	The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen and that exposure results in liver cancer in people. Breathing high levels can cause dizziness, unconsciousness, and death People who work with VC have developed damage to the liver, nervous system and immune system Animal studies show that long-term exposure can damage the sperm and testes, harm unborn offspring, and cause miscarriages	OSHA PEL: TWA 1 ppm; ST 5 ppm NIOSH REL: "Lowest reliably detectable level" NIOSH IDLH: No data provided EPA requires that VC in drinking water not exceed 2 ppb

Acronyms: ATSDR : Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directed by congressional mandate to perform specific functions concerning the effect on public health of hazardous substances in the environment, including information development and dissemination concerning hazardous substances. C : Ceiling value, or maximum concentration recommended at any moment. It is recommended this value should not be exceeded even once during a work shift (or other specified period of time). EPA : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FDA : U.S. Food and Drug Administration mg/m3: milligrams per cubic meter NIOSH IDLH : Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health, as defined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) NIOSH REL : National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limit (U.S. recommended limit), based on a 10-hour workday, assuming a 40-hour work week. OSHA PEL : Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limit (U.S. legal airborne limit), based on an 8-hour workday, assuming a 40-hour work week. PCB : Polychlorinated Biphenyl ppb : parts per billion ppm : parts per million ST : Short-term (15 minute) exposure limit. In other words, the time weighted average concentration exposure limit in inhaled air over a period of 15 minutes. TWA : Time weighted average. Exposure limit in inhaled air averaged over a specified period of time, usually an 8 or 10 hour work shift. Exposure limits can also be expressed over a specified period: 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour, etc. Sources: Stan Roach, Health Risks from Hazardous Substances at Work: Assessment, Evaluation and Control, Pergamon Press: Oxford (1992), pp.127-145; International Programme on Chemical Safety and the Commission of the European Communities, International Chemical Safety Cards [for Ammonia (anhydrous), 1,2-Dichloroethane, Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Aroclor 1254), Phosgene, and Vinyl Chloride], http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/nengsyn.html (observed June 22, 1999); New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets (for Ammonia, 1,2 Dichloroethane, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Vinyl Chloride), http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/rtkhsfs.htm (observed June 22, 1999); ATSDR ToxFAQ for 1,2-Dichloroethane (September 1995), Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls (September 1997), and Vinyl Chloride (September 1997), http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html (observed June 28, 1999); website of C.F.C. Reclamation & Recycling Service, Inc., http://www.c-f-c.com/specgas_products/phosgene.htm (observed June 28, 1999); ATSDR Public Health Statement: Ammonia , December 1990; Toxicological Profile for Vinyl Chloride (Update) , ATSDR, September 1997, p. 150.