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IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook CHLORDECONEChemical Name: 1,2,3,4,5,5,6,7,9,10,10-dodecachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta(cd)pentalen-2-one(C10Cl10O). Also known as Kepone. CAS Number: 143-50-0 Properties: Solubility in water: 7.6 mg/L at 25°C; vapour pressure: less than 3*10 -5 mm Hg at 25°C; log KOW: 4.50 Discovery/Uses: Chlordecone is released to the atmosphere as a result of its manufacture and use as an insecticide. Chlordecone also occurs as a degradation product of the insecticide Mirex. As a fungicide against apple scab and powdery mildew former use and to control the colorado potato beetle, rust mite on non-bearing citrus, and potato and tobacco were worm on gladisli and other plants. Chlordecone was formerly registered for the control of rootborers on bananas Nonfood uses included wireworm control in tobacco fields and bait to control ants and other insects in indoor and outdoor areas. Persistence/Fate: The estimated half-life in soils is between 1-2 years, whereas in air is much higher, up to 50 years. It will not be expected to hydrolyze, biodegrade in the environment. Also direct photodegradation is not significant similarly as evaporation from water. General population exposure to chlordecone is occurred mainly through the consumption of contaminated fish and seafood. Toxicity: Workers who were exposed to high levels of chlordecone over a long period (more than one year) showed harmful effects on the nervous system, skin, liver, and male reproductive system. These workers were probably exposed mainly through touching chlordecone, although they may have inhaled or ingested some as well. Animal studies with chlordecone have shown effects similar to those seen in people, as well as harmful kidney effects, developmental effects, and effects on the ability of females to reproduce. There are no studies available on whether chlordecone is carcinogenic in people. However, studies in mice and rats have shown that ingesting chlordecone can cause liver, adrenal gland, and kidney tumors. Very highly toxic for some species such as Atlantic menhaden, sheepshead minnow or donaldson trout with LC50 between 21.4 – 56.9 mg.l -1 Source: UNEP Chemicals, Regional Reports of the Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances Program (2002) Available from: http://www.chem.unep.ch/pts UNEP Chemicals 11-13, chemin des Anemones CH-1219 Chatelaine, GE Switzerland. 
IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook - 2003 |
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