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Pollution Prevention Resources for Industries

Sodium Dimethyldithiocarbamate Alert

Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (SDDC) is used to enhance the precipitation of metals in wastewater treatment and pretreatment systems. SDDC is the active ingredient in Namet, sold by Buckman Laboratories, and HMP 2000, sold by Ulrich Chemical. SDDC is toxic to aquatic life and it can combine to form, or break down to, a number of other toxic contaminants.

The metal finishing and regulatory communities have recently been reminded of the problems associated with improper handling of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate. The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of U.S. EPA, and the State of Indiana have filed suits against an Anderson, Indiana metal plating facility. It is alleged that over a period of approximately 10 days, in December 1999, greater than normal amounts of treatment chemicals, including SDDC, were used to treat more concentrated wastewater. The treatment chemicals released to the sanitary sewer caused disruption of the Anderson wastewater treatment plant and a release of pollutants including ammonia, Thiram and other thiurams, amines, and carbamates to the White River. The release resulted in a 117-ton fish kill covering a 50-mile stretch of the river. Parts of the river will require years to be restored.

If your facility uses sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate in its pretreatment system, make sure that your employees are educated on the risks associated with this chemical and that proper handling procedures are followed. In addition, remember that you are required to notify MCES if your facility will significantly change the volume or character of your wastewater or if operational problems occur that will affect the nature of your discharge.

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