Abstract  The purpose of this document is to establish the basis for a PHG for DCM in drinking water. DCM is a synthetic volatile chemical without known natural sources. The production of DCM exceeds 200 million pounds annually in the United States (U.S.) and it is used in more than ten industries. In 1993, the U.S. EPA characterized DCM as the third most commonly used halogenated solvent based on 1991 data. DCM is used principally as a solvent in the removal of paint and grease; as a propellant for aerosolizing paints, automotive products, and insect sprays; and as a process solvent in the manufacture of foam polymers, pharmaceuticals and photographic film coatings. Other major uses are as a cleaner in electronic manufacturing, a degreening agent for citrus fruits, and a blowing agent in the production of urethane foam. Sources of DCM contamination in drinking water are mainly discharges from pharmaceutical and chemical factories. DCM has been detected in finished and raw water supplies in the U.S., and in groundwater wells used as drinking water sources in California at median concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 10 mg/L ppb).

Abstract  DOE's natural gas mission, in partnership with its stakeholders, is to undertake and promote activities to maximize the Nation's ability to supply, transport, and use natural gas to encourage economic growth, enhance energy interests security, and improve the environment. In implementing this mission, DOE has been involved in promoting domestic natural gas as a clean, abundant, and reliable source of energy. In particular, DOE is interested in technologies capable of converting natural gas to other valuable resources, such as transportation fuels, hydrogen, and premium chemicals. The purpose of the proposed action is to further examine the potential of one such technology for natural gas conversion. Over the past five years, DOE's Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center has supported a research program to determine the feasibility of producing methyl chloride (CH(sub 3)Cl), a key ingredient used in the silicone industry, directly from methane (the primary component of natural gas) via an oxyhydrochlorination (OHC) process. As a result of this research program the OHC process is now ready for further development. The proposed action would advance the OHC natural gas conversion technology to an integrated engineering-scale process at the Dow Corning plant in Carrollton, Kentucky.

Abstract  This summary is based on information retrieved from a systematic search limited to secondary sources (see Appendix A). These sources include online databases. unpublished EPA ·information. government publications. review documents. and standard reference materials. No attempt has been made to verify information in these databases and secondary sources.