Active Ingredient

Threats to Human &
Environmental Health

Bronopol
(chemical name: bromo-nitropropane-diol)

bacterial pesticide

Dowicil
(chemical name: 1-(3-chlorallyl)-3,4,7-triaza-1- azoniaadamantane chloride)

bacterial pesticide (EPA states “Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local
sewage treatment plant authority.”)

Formaldehyde
(also known as Formalin; degradate of bronopol)

kills or retards bacterial growth, recognized by EPA as probable carcinogen(1); moderately toxic to humans(2)

Glutaraldehyde
(also known as embalming fluid)

Retards bacterial growth and covers sewage odor, eye/inhalation irritant

Paraformaldehyde
(polymerized formaldehyde)

very toxic to humans(3) (see formaldehyde)

(1) a carcinogen causes cancer
(2) lethal dose for 150 lb person is between 1 ounce to 1 pint

Legislation Currently In Effect

§67410.1. Prohibition of Sale.

(a) On or after January 1, 1979, no person in the State of California shall manufacture, formulate, package, import or receive from outside the State and sell or offer for sale within the State a material for use as a chemical toilet additive, as indicated on a label on the container or by any other representation by said person, which contains a nonbiodegradable toxic chemical substance.

(b) On or after January 1, 1979, no person shall sell or offer for sale at retail or wholesale within the State a material for use as a chemical toilet additive, as indicated on a label on the container or by any other representation relating to the sale of the material, which contains a nonbiodegradable toxic chemical substance.

Title 22, Article 4.5, Chapter 41