[CPEO-MEF] DNT - The Importance of Testing for All Isomers

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Submitted by Laura Olah <cswab@merr.com>

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
FACT SHEET

DNT: The Importance of Testing Groundwater and Drinking Water for All Isomers


Dinitrotoluene, commonly known as DNT, exists as a mixture of two or
more of its six isomers (forms).  The 2,4- and 2,6- DNT isomers are the
most predominant and have been used in military munitions and dye
manufacture.  

Technical grade DNT is a mixture composed of approximately 76% 2,4-DNT,
19% 2,6-DNT, and 5% other DNT isomers (3,4-DNT, 2,3-DNT, 2,5-DNT, and
3,5 DNT).  In groundwater and drinking water, however, these isomers can
be found independently and in different ratios.  

If you live near a facility that has DNT contamination, it is important
that your groundwater and drinking water well be tested for all known
isomers of DNT.  

In certain groundwater monitoring wells inside Wisconsin?s Badger Army
Ammunition Plant, for example, levels of 2,4 and 2,6-DNT are much lower
than 3,4-DNT concentrations in the same well.  In one sample, 2,4- and
2,6-DNT levels were both below 0.08 parts per billion while 3,4-DNT was
detected at levels 80 times higher: 6.45 parts per billion (June 2004).  

It is also possible to see one isomer of DNT in a well and not see any
others.  This can come about in several different ways:   

One way is if degradation is nearly complete for other isomers and a
more resistant isomer could remain.  Unlike 2,4- and 2,6-DNT, for
example, 2,3-DNT has not been demonstrated to biodegradable.     

A second way, although less likely, is if there are differences in the
affinity of different DNT isomers to the aquifer material and one could
show up faster or slower than the other.  

Another way one isomer could show up by itself may be that the source
area for the well is primarily contaminated with one isomer.  

And finally, it is possible that one or more conditions could occur at
the same time, resulting in the presence of a single isomer in a
specific well.

To date, residents living near Badger Army Ammunition Plant have
received test results for only 2 or 3 of the 6 known DNT isomers.  

Wisconsin?s safe drinking water standard for both 2,4- and 2,6-DNT is
0.05 parts per billion.  DNT can affect the blood, nervous system,
liver, kidneys, and male reproductive system in both humans and animals,
and is a suspected human carcinogen.  It is anticipated that the health
risks of other DNT isomers are similar due to their structural
similarity.  Several recent studies, however, indicate that 3,4-DNT may
be more toxic than the other more common isomers.    

SOURCES: USEPA Office of Water, 2,4 and 2,6 Dinitrotoluene Health
Advisory, April 1992.  Dr. Jerry Eykholt, environmental engineer and
technical consultant for the Badger Restoration Advisory Board, November
6, 2004 correspondence.  J. Spain and S. Nishino, Bioremediation of DNT,
Air Force Research Laboratory, Tyndall AFB, Florida,, February 2001. 

Groundwater Monitoring Well Results: June 2004
The following are provided as examples.  All results are reported in
parts per billion (ppb).  DBM-series wells are located in the northeast
corner of Badger Army Ammunition Plant near the Deterrent Burning
Grounds.  PBN-series wells are located in the southwest portion of
Badger near the Propellant Burning Grounds.

Well: DBM 8201  
2,6-DNT         0.086
2,4-DNT         0.042
2,3-DNT         1.57
3,4-DNT         6.45

Well: DMB 8202
2,6-DNT         0.058
2,4-DNT         0.015
2,3-DNT         1.03
3,4-DNT         3.80

Well: PBN 8904B
2,6-DNT         0.159
2,4-DNT         0.032
2,3-DNT         0.649
3,4-DNT         0.200

Well: PBN 8202A
2,6-DNT      10.5
2,4-DNT       2.7
2,3-DNT     165.
3,4-DNT         191.

Well: PBN 8904B
2,6-DNT         0.159
2,4-DNT         0.032
2,3-DNT         0.649
3,4-DNT         0.200

Well: PBN 8904B 
2,6-DNT         0.185
2,4-DNT         0.038
2,3-DNT         0.763
3,4-DNT         0.239
 
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB) is working to mobilize and
empower rural communities near Wisconsin?s Badger Army Ammunition Plant
in support of a sustainable future that will protect and restore the
integrity of soil, water, air, and biological diversity.   For more
information contact: CSWAB, E12629 Weigand?s Bay South, Merrimac, WI 
53561 (608) 643-3124 or http://www.cswab.org

--
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
E12629 Weigands Bay S
Merrimac, WI 53561
phone: (608)643-3124
fax: (608)643-0005
email: info@cswab.org
website: www.cswab.org
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