Toxaphene

Toxaphene
Names
IUPAC name
2,2,5,6-tetrachloro-1,7-bis(chloromethyl)-7-(dichloromethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane
Other names
Chlorocamphene, Octachlorocamphene, Polychlorocamphene, Chlorinated camphene, Camphechlor
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.348 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 232-283-3
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H10Cl8/c1-7(2)3(6(13)14)8(15)4(11)5(12)9(7,16)10(8,17)18/h3-6H,1-2H3
    Key: HRBUJQUHXGOSQW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C=C1C(C2(C(C(C1(C2(Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)(CCl)CCl
Properties
C10H10Cl8
Molar mass 413.79 g·mol−1
Density 1.65 g/cm3
Melting point 65 to 90 °C (149 to 194 °F; 338 to 363 K)
Boiling point decomposition at 155 °C (311 °F; 428 K)
0.0003% (20°C)[1]
Vapor pressure 0.4 mmHg (25°C)[1]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS06: ToxicGHS08: Health hazardGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H301, H312, H315, H335, H351, H410
P261, P273, P280, P301+P310, P501
Flash point noncombustible[1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
75 mg/kg (oral, rabbit)
112 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
250 mg/kg (oral, guinea pig)
50 mg/kg (oral, rat)[2]
2000 mg/m3 (mouse, 2 hr)[2]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 TWA 0.5 mg/m3 [skin][1]
REL (Recommended)
 Ca [skin][1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 200 mg/m3[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Toxaphene was an insecticide used primarily for cotton in the southern United States during the late 1960s and the 1970s.[3][4] Toxaphene is a mixture of over 670 different chemicals and is produced by reacting chlorine gas with camphene.[3][5] It can be most commonly found as a yellow to amber waxy solid.[3]

Toxaphene was banned in the United States in 1990 and was banned globally by the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.[3][6] It is a very persistent chemical that can remain in the environment for 1–14 years without degrading, particularly in the soil.[7]

Testing performed on animals, mostly rats and mice, has demonstrated that toxaphene is harmful to animals. Exposure to toxaphene has proven to stimulate the central nervous system, as well as induce morphological changes in the thyroid, liver, and kidneys.[8]

Toxaphene has been shown to cause adverse health effects in humans. The main sources of exposure are through food, drinking water, breathing contaminated air, and direct contact with contaminated soil. Exposure to high levels of toxaphene can cause damage to the lungs, nervous system, liver, kidneys, and in extreme cases, may even cause death. It is thought to be a potential carcinogen in humans, though this has not yet been proven.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0113". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. ^ a b "Chlorinated camphene". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Toxaphene - ToxFAQs". Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Toxaphene" (PDF). Report on Carcinogens. 13. National Toxicology Program, Department of Health and Human Services. October 2, 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Saleh was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Wen-Tien, Tsai (October 12, 2010). "Current Status and Regulatory Aspects of Pesticides Considered to be Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Taiwan". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 7 (10): 3615–3627. doi:10.3390/ijerph7103615. PMC 2996183. PMID 21139852.
  7. ^ "Technical Factsheet on: TOXAPHENE" (PDF). National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Toxaphene". Technology Transfer Network - Air Toxics Web Site. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 17 March 2015.