Past and Present Pollutants of Concern – Additional Information

Acetaldehyde*

Acetaldehyde is primarily used as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals. It is formed as a product of incomplete wood combustion in fireplaces and woodstoves, forest and wildfires, internal combustion engines/turbines, vehicle exhaust, and wastewater processing.

For health effects of acetaldehyde click here.

Acrolein*

The primary use of acrolein is as a biocide to control plants, algae, rodents, and microorganisms. Secondary formation, area sources, and on-road mobile sources also contribute to acrolein in the ambient air.

For health effects of acrolein click here.

Acrylonitrile*

The primary exposure to acrylonitrile appears to be occupational, via the inhalation pathway. Acrylonitrile is primarily used in the manufacture of acrylic and modacrylic fibers. It is also used as a raw material in the manufacture of plastics, adiponitrile, acrylamide, and nitrile rubbers and barrier resins. Exposure to acrylonitrile in the air you breathe or the water you drink is unlikely when your place of living is not near a factory where acrylonitrile is made or near a hazardous waste site that contains acrylonitrile.

For health effects of acrylonitrile click here.

Arsenic Compounds

Arsenic emissions are primarily from burning of fuels and wastes from area and mobile sources, although background levels are significant. It is an element that is widely distributed in the earth’s crust, and is released by volcanoes and mineral weathering. It is also emitted from commercial and industrial processes, including smelting of mineral ores.

For health effects of arsenic click here.

Benzene*

The primary contributors to benzene concentrations are mobile sources. Benzene is a component of gasoline and oil. It is also used industrially to make other chemicals, plastics, synthetic fibers and other products, and is ranked in the top 20 chemicals for production volume in the U.S.

For health effects of benzene click here.

Benzyl Chloride*

Benzyl chloride, also known as chloromethylbenzene, is a colorless liquid with a strong, irritating odor. It is used in the manufacture of certain dyes, plasticizers, resins, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics. Inhalation of benzyl chloride can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.

For health effects of benzyl chloride click here.

Beryllium

Beryllium is a naturally occurring metal found in mineral rocks, coal, and soil. Beryllium alloys can be used in electrical components such as parts for automobiles, televisions, and computers. Beryllium is emitted into the air when it is mined, processed, or burned in coal or fuel. It can also be emitted through smoke from some tobacco products.

For health effects of beryllium click here.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate*

The primary source of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate emissions is background concentrations. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is commonly used in the manufacture of plastic products. Due to its wide use, volatility, and persistence, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is widely distributed in the environment.

For health effects of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, also known as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, click here.

1,3-Butadiene*

1,3-Butadiene is emitted primarily from on-road mobile sources, although background levels are relatively high. It is found in gasoline and is used in industry to make synthetic rubber and plastics. Wastewater processing, wildfires, and other combustion sources also contribute to 1,3-butadiene concentrations in ambient air.

For health effects of 1,3-butadiene click here.

Cadmium Compounds

Cadmium emissions come primarily from nonpoint sources and background concentrations. It is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels and waste. Exposure to cadmium compounds occurs in workplaces where cadmium products are made. People can also be exposed through tobacco smoke or from food sources.

For health effects of cadmium click here.

Carbon Tetrachloride*

Carbon tetrachloride is no longer used or emitted in New Jersey. It is being phased out under the U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments and the Montreal Protocol international agreement because of its contribution to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. However, significant quantities of carbon tetrachloride remain in the air due to its long half-life.  This residual level is represented in AirToxScreen as a background concentration.

For health effects of carbon tetrachloride click here.

Chloroform*

Chloroform does not react quickly in the atmosphere, so there are significant residual levels from emissions around the country that are represented in AirToxScreen as background concentrations.  It is still used in the production of other chemicals, and is formed and released through chlorination of drinking water, wastewater and swimming pools.

For health effects of chloroform click here.

Chromium VI

Chromium VI emissions (also known as hexavalent chromium) come primarily from point sources, mostly chromium electroplaters. Combustion of coal and oil, iron and steel plants, metal smelters, and motor vehicles are other examples of sources that emit chromium VI. There is also a significant contribution from background concentrations.

For health effects of chromium VI click here.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a naturally-occurring element that is used to make superalloys, pigments, catalysts, and lithium or nickel-cadmium batteries. It is emitted into the air primarily from fossil fuel and waste combustion; vehicular and aircraft exhaust; processing of alloys; copper and nickel smelting and refining; and the manufacture and use of cobalt chemicals and fertilizers.

For health effects of cobalt click here.

1,4-Dichlorobenzene*

The primary source of 1,4-dichlorobenzene emissions is area sources.  It can be found in products such as mothballs and toilet deodorizer blocks.

For health effects of 1,4-dichlorobenzene click here.

1,3-Dichloropropene*

1,3-dichloropropene is emitted from area sources. It is used primarily as a soil fumigant and agricultural pesticide.

For health effects of 1,3-dichloropropene click here.

Diesel Particulate Matter (PM)

A component of diesel exhaust, diesel PM is a mixture of particles primarily emitted from on-road and nonroad mobile sources. More information on diesel PM can be found by clicking here. EPA believes the health effects of diesel exhaust are best represented through analysis of diesel PM concentrations.

For health effects of diesel particulate matter click here.

1,4-Dioxane*

1,4-Dioxane is primarily released into the air when it is used as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals or as a laboratory reagent. It is a trace contaminant of chemicals that are sometimes used in cosmetics, shampoos, and detergents. In the air, 1,4-dioxane breaks down into different compounds rapidly.

For health effects of 1,4-dioxane click here.

Ethylbenzene*

Ethylbenzene is emitted primarily from gasoline engines. It is naturally found in coal tar, petroleum, and in manufactured products such as inks, pesticides, and paints. It is used to make other chemicals such as styrene, and in solvents and fuels.

For health effects of ethylbenzene click here.

Ethylene Dibromide*

Emissions of ethylene dibromide, also known as 1,2-dibromoethane, are rare.  However, significant quantities of ethylene dibromide remain in the air due to its long half-life.  This residual level is represented in AirToxScreen as background concentrations.  The primary source of ethylene dibromide emissions is almost exclusively background.  For additional information on background concentrations, click here.

For health effects of ethylene dibromide click here.

Ethylene Dichloride*

Emissions of ethylene dichloride, also known as 1,2-dichloroethane, are small.  However, significant quantities of ethylene dichloride remain in the air due to its long half-life.  This residual level is represented in AirToxScreen as a background concentration. The primary source of ethylene dichloride emissions is background. For additional information on background concentrations, click here.

For health effects of ethylene dichloride click here.

Ethylene Oxide*

The primary source of ethylene oxide emissions is area sources, primarily commercial and hospital sterilizers. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in manufacturing. A significant amount is now attributable to background concentrations.

For health effects of ethylene oxide click here.

Formaldehyde*

Formaldehyde is mostly formed in the atmosphere from chemicals released by mobile and other sources. Some of these sources include wildfires, stationary internal combustion engines and turbines, power plants, and incinerators. Formaldehyde does not degrade quickly, so there is a significant contribution from background concentrations and secondary formation.

For health effects of formaldehyde click here.

Hydrazine

Individuals may be exposed to hydrazine in the workplace or to small amounts in tobacco smoke. Hydrazine is used in agricultural chemicals (pesticides), chemical blowing agents, pharmaceutical intermediates, photography chemicals, boiler water treatment for corrosion protection, textile dyes, and as fuel for rockets and spacecraft. Accidental discharge into water, air, and soil may occur during storage, handling, transport, and improper waste disposal. However, hydrazine rapidly degrades in the environment and is rarely encountered.

For health effects of hydrazine click here.

Methyl Chloride (Chloromethane)*

Outdoor concentrations of methyl chloride are mostly attributable background levels. Some is produced by industry, but it is also formed from combustion and the breakdown of plastic waste.

For health effects of methyl chloride, also known as chloromethane, click here.

4,4′-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline)

4,4′-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) is primarily used in industry as a curing agent for liquid polyurethane elastomers and is used as an experimental carcinogen in research.

For health effects of 4,4′-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline), click here.

Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)*

MTBE was used as an additive for unleaded gasolines to achieve more efficient burning, and was therefore emitted primarily from mobile sources. It was omitted from gasoline in 2006.

For health effects of MTBE click here.

Naphthalene*

Naphthalene emissions are mainly from area sources, such as combustion of wood, tobacco, and fossil fuels. Its major consumer uses are in moth repellants and toilet deodorant blocks. It is also used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics.

For health effects of naphthalene click here.

Nickel Compounds

Nickel is found in the outside air due to releases from utility oil and coal combustion, residential heating, metal refining and smelting, sewage sludge incineration, and mobile sources.

For health effects of nickel click here.

PAH/POM (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/Organic Matter)

POM is defined as a broad class of compounds that includes another group, the PAHs. Air emissions come from diverse sources of incomplete combustion, such as vehicle exhaust, forest and wildfires, asphalt roads, coal, coal tar, coke ovens, agricultural burning, residential wood burning, and hazardous waste sites. Because of limited emissions and toxicity data, for AirToxScreen PAH/POM have been grouped based on their toxicity.

For health effects of PAHs click here.

Perchloroethylene*

Perchloroethylene is emitted mostly from dry cleaning.  Since perchloroethylene does not degrade quickly in the atmosphere, there is also a contribution from background concentrations.

For health effects of perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene, click here.

Trichloroethylene*

Most of the trichloroethylene used in the United States is released into the atmosphere from industrial degreasing operations. Exposure to trichloroethylene may happen to workers in the factories where it is manufactured or used, and to persons breathing air around these factories. Persons may also be exposed to trichloroethylene through the use of products containing the chemical and from evaporation and leaching from waste disposal sites. It is an ingredient in adhesives, paint removers, automotive care products, spot removers, and other consumer products. Trichloroethylene is not thought to occur naturally in the environment. However, it has been found in underground water sources and many surface waters as a result of the manufacture, use, and disposal of the chemical.

For health effects of trichloroethylene, also referred to as TCE, click here.

1,1,2-Trichloroethane*

1,1,2-trichloroethane is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate in industry. However, the largest source of emissions in New Jersey appears to be volatilization from wastewater and municipal sewage treatment plants.

For health effects of 1,1,2-trichloroethane click here.

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane*

The primary source of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane emissions is background concentrations. Despite reduced usage in the United States, current concentrations are largely a result of use as a chemical intermediate during the manufacture of other substances and in landfills.

For health effects pf 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane click here.

Vinyl Chloride*

The primary source of Vinyl chloride emissions is point sources. It is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and vinyl products.

For health effects of vinyl chloride click here.

* Indicates the pollutant is a VOC

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Any compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions as defined by the EPA at 40 CFR 51.100(s), and incorporated into N.J.A.C. 7:27-8 and 22. VOCs include gasoline, and industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene. Many VOCs are also HAPs**.

** HAP: Hazardous Air Pollutant

In general, an “air toxic.” Specifically, this also refers to any of the 188 air toxic pollutants listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments 42 U.S.C. §7412(b). This list is incorporated into N.J.A.C. 7:27-17. All of the pollutants listed above are HAPs.