Chlordecone

Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Give a slurry of activated charcoal in water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halon, water spray, or standard foam. ... If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors, or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position. ... The only respirators recommended for firefighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full face-pieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.

Store in a secure poison location. ... A regulated, marked area should be established where this chemical is handled, used, or stored in compliance with OSHA Standard 1910.1045. Store in a cool, dry place in a refrigerator under inert atmosphere. Keep away from acids and acid fumes.

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Do not touch spilled material. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. For larger spills, dike far ahead of spill for later disposal. Ventilate area after cleanup is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters.

Survey reports six case histories employing EPA's hazardous materials spills treatment trailer are reviewed. The trailer's ... treatment system has three mixed-media filters and three activated carbon columns to remove suspended, precipitated, and organic soluble materials. Spills of PCB, pentachlorophenol, kepone, termide (chlordane), heptachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin, toxaphene, and dinitrobutylphenol were treated by the EPA trailer, which was generally successful in mitigating environmental effects by filtering and carbon-adsorption. 90% removal was achieved for 21 of 23 compounds.

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": A high-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) or charcoal filters can be used to minimize amt of carcinogen in exhausted air ventilated safety cabinets, lab hoods, glove boxes or animal rooms ... Filter housing that is designed so that used filters can be transferred into plastic bag without contaminating maintenance staff is avail commercially. Filters should be placed in plastic bags immediately after removal ... The plastic bag should be sealed immediately ... The sealed bag should be labeled properly ... Waste liquids ... should be placed or collected in proper containers for disposal. The lid should be secured & the bottles properly labeled. Once filled, bottles should be placed in plastic bag, so that outer surface ... is not contaminated ... The plastic bag should also be sealed & labelled. ... Broken glassware ... should be decontaminated by solvent extraction, by chemical destruction, or in specially designed incinerators. /Chemical Carcinogens/

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U142, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

A process has been developed which effects chlordecone degradation by treatment of aqueous wastes with UV radiation in the presence of hydrogen in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Up to 95% decomposition was effected by this process. Chlordecine perviously presented serious disposal problems because of its great resistance to bio- and photodegradation in the environment. It is highly toxic to normally occurring degrading microorganisms. Although it can undergo some photodecomposition when exposed to sunlight to the dihydro compound (leaving a compound with 8 chloro substituents) that degradation product does not significantly reduce toxicity. Disposal by incineration with HCl scrubbing is recommended.

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for Kepone (15 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Personal protection: P3 filter respirator for toxic particles.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.

Appropriate engineering controls: Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.

Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for Kepone (20 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Kepone was detected in the adipose tissue of humans that were not occupationally exposed(1), but no quantified amounts were reported. Southeastern USA, Feb, 1976, mothers milk, 200 samples, 4.5% pos, detected, not quantified(2,3). Concentration in blood of workers who manufacture kepone, 32 workers, 0.165-26 ppm(1). Kepone was found in 9 out of 298 samples of human milk with a relatively high detection limit (1 mg/kg)(3).

Of 216 blood samples obtained from healthy members of the general population living within a one mile radius of a kepone manufacturing facility, 40 were found to contain detectable amounts of kepone ranging from 0.005-0.033 mg/L. ... Serum concentrations of kepone in 11 occupationally exposed subjects ranged from 0.120 - 2.109 mg/L and average 0.734 mg/L. The average serum half-life was found to be 96 days and the average blood/serum concentration ratio, 0.57.

Kepone was found present in blood and biopsy tissues of 32 chemical workers exhibiting symptoms of toxicity; average: 5.8 mg/l (blood), 76 mg/kg (liver), 22 mg/kg (fat).

Hepatic

[in animal: liver cancer]

A series of psychopharmacological agents were administered to adult male Fischer-344 rats pretreated with a tremorigenic dose of chlordecone in an attempt to elucidate the involvement of spinal and supraspinal processes in the mediation and/or expression of chlordecone-induced tremor. Agents effective in attenuating the frequency of tremor were chlordiazepoxide, muscimol, and mecamylamine; Quipazine exacerbated the tremor. Catecholaminergic agents did not affect the frequency of chordecone-induced tremor. ...

... Male Sprague Dawley rats (175-200 g) received a single ip dose of 1, 5, 10, 15, or 25 uL bromotrichloromethane/kg following a 15 day dietary pretreatment of 0 or 10 ppm chlordecone. With the exception of 1 uL/kg dose which had no effect, chlordecone-bromotrichloromethane combination resulted in potentiation of hepatotoxicity by all parameters examined. ...

Difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (200-800 mg/kg, sc), to rats has no detectable behavioral effects using a battery of tests to assess sensorimotor function. In contrast, the induction of tremor by chlordecone, a neurotoxic agent that affects neuronal ionic processes, is significantly attenuated by pretreatment with difluromethylornithine. The effects of difluromethylornithine on chlordecone-induced tremor were reversed by pretreatment with putrescine. Difluromethylornithine had no effects on 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, a tremorigen having a mechanism of action different from chlordecone. ...

Kepone ingestion increased sensitivity of liver and kidney to chloroform toxicity.

For more Interactions (Complete) data for Kepone (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Urinary

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, reproductive system

EC50; Species: Chironomous, fourth instar; Conditions: static, 22 °C; Concentration: 320 ug/L for 48 hr (95% confidence limit: 220-450 ug/L) /Technical material, 90.7%; Effect: immobilization/

EC50; Species: Daphnia magna, first instar; Conditions: static, 17 °C; Concentration: 260 ug/L for 48 hr (95% confidence limit: 200-345 ug/L) /Technical material, 90.7%/

LC50; Species: Gammarus pseudolimnaeus (mature); Conditions: static, 17 °C; Concentration: 180 ug/L for 96 hr (95% confidence limit: 110-290 ug/L) /Technical material, 90.7%/

LC50; Species: /Oncorhynchus mykiss/ (Rainbow trout) weight 1.1 g; Conditions: static, 12 °C; Concentration: 30 ug/L for 96 hr (95% confidence limit: 24-38 ug/L) /Technical material, 90.7%/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Kepone (26 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), experimentally-determined Koc values of 3330, 7440 and 15850(2,3) indicate that kepone is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of kepone from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 5.4X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 2.25X10-7 mm Hg(4), and water solubility of 2.7 mg/L(4). Kepone is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure. However, laboratory tests have measured small amounts of kepone volatilization from soil(4). Biodegradation of kepone can occur, but it is a very slow environmental process(5). A half-life of >312 days was measured using an estuarine sediment inoculum(6). Microbial mineralization of 14C-kepone was demonstrated in two tropical soils under aerobic conditions, but the rate of 14-CO2 evolution was only 3.2-4.9% after 215 days of incubation(2). Kepone may be susceptible to direct photolysis on soil surfaces exposed to sunlight(7). Monitoring data indicate kepone residues can exist in soil for years after pesticidal applications(2,5). Kepone is a persistent organochlorine insecticide that still has an environmental impact decades after its ban(2).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), experimentally-determined Koc values of 3330, 7440 and 15850(2,3) indicate that kepone is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(4) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 5.4X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 2.25X10-7 mm Hg(5), and water solubility of 2.7 mg/L(5). According to a classification scheme(6), a mean BCF range of 900-9,354(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high to very high(SRC). Biodegradation of kepone can occur, but it is a very slow environmental process(8). Little to no biodegradation was observed in studies using activated sludge(9), contaminated hydrosoils(10), or exposure to sea water(11). A half-life of >312 days was measured using an estuarine sediment inoculum(12). Slow mineralization of kepone (3.2-4.9% CO2 evolution over 215 days of incubation) has been observed in aerobic soil studies(13). Kepone hydrates in aqueous solution to form the gem-diol kepone hydrate(14); the reaction is reversible(14).

AQUATIC FATE: ... Kepone and mirex are among the most stable pesticides in the aquatic environment. After 56 days of incubation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, there was no evidence of degradation of these two compounds.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), kepone, which has a vapor pressure of 2.25X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of kepone with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 0.0 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(3) indicating it is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC). However, kepone readily forms hydrates on exposure to ordinary temperatures and humidities(4). Vapor-phase kepone hydrate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 38 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.8X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase kepone may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Kepone and kepone hydrate are susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(5,6).

Kepone was detected as a contaminant in studies conducted by the FDA from 1978-1982 and 1983-1986 on domestic and imported foods(1,2). A separate study in 1991 found one of the 13,085 food samples to contain detectable amounts of kepone(3). Kepone use in banana plantations in the French West Indies was banned in 1993, but kepone is still being detected in French West Indies foodstuffs (yam, dasheen, sweet potato, cucumber and pumpkin) decades later(4).

The substance can be absorbed into the body through the skin, by ingestion and by inhalation.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Oral(L601) ; inhalation (L601) ; dermal (L601).

U142; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when chlordecone as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5).

Pesticide and Review Criteria Possibly Met or Exceeded: Carcinogenicity; Cancellations Issued Prior to Rebuttable Presumption Against Registration/Special Review Process.

All registered products containing kepone were effectively cancelled May 1, 1978. A summary of Kepone products, their registration numbers, effective cancellation dates, and disposition of uses of existing stocks follows: 1. Inaccessible Products: Antrol Ant Trap, Reg No 475-11; Black Flag Ant Trap, Reg No 475-82; Grant's Ant Trap, Reg No 1663-21; Grant's Roach Trap, Reg No 1663-22; Grant's Ant Control, Reg No 1663-24; and Dead Shot Ant Killer, Reg No 274-23 were cancelled as of May 11, 1977. Distribution, sale, and use of existing stocks formulated prior to May 11, 1977 was permitted until such stocks were exhausted. Black Leaf Ant Trap, Reg No 5887-63; Hide Roach and Ant, Reg No 3325-4; Lilly's Ant Trap with Kepone, Reg No 460-17; TNT Roach and Ant Killer, Reg No 2095-2; Johnston's No-Roach Traps, Reg No 2019-19; Mysterious Ant Trap with Kepone, Reg No 395-19; Magikill Ant Trap with Kepone, Reg No 395-21; Magikil Roach trap with Kepone, Reg No 395-25; Ant-Not Ant Trap, Reg No 358-20; Nott Roach Trapp, Reg No 358-129; E-Z Ant Trap Contains Kepone, Reg No 506-109; Tat Ant Trap, Reg No 506-126; and Ant Check Ant Trap, Reg No 506-129 were effectively cancelled on May 1, 1978. Distribution, sale, and use of Kepone products formulated prior to May 1, 1978 was permitted until such stocks were exhausted. 2. Accessible Products: All of these products were cancelled as of December 13, 1977. Distribution, sale, and use of these products is now unlawful. Inaccessible Products: included those which enclosed Kepone traps made from metal or plastic as well as metal stakes containing enclosed Kepone bait which are hammered into the ground. Accessible Products: Included those which, in normal use, would be removed from their containers, as well as foil or cardboard covered traps.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 1lb or 0.454 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Kepone is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.

Formerly used as an insecticide; Base material for the manufacture of kelevan; [HSDB]

In 1975 the sole manufacturer of Kepone in the U.S. was ordered to terminate production. [Sullivan, p. 1048-9]

For chlordecone (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 027701) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

Formerly as insecticide, fungicide, miticide.

INSECTICIDE FOR BANANAS, NON-BEARING CITRUS TREES (FORMER USE), TOBACCO (FORMER USE), ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, INSECTS IN BUILDINGS (FORMER USE), LAWNS, TURF, & FLOWERS (FORMER USE), INDOOR & OUTDOOR AREAS (FORMER USE)

Base material for the manufacture of kelevan.

(1978) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN USA

(1982) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN USA

Estimated average annual production before the shutdown of kepone was 882,000 pounds.

Preparation: Gilbert, Giolito, United States of America patent 2616825 and United States of America patent 2616928 (1952 to Allied Chem.); reissued as United States of America patent RE 24435 (1958).

Chlordecone is made by condensation of 2 mol of hexachlorocyclopentadiene in the presence of sulfur trioxide, followed by hydrolysis.

Technical grade chlordecone contains from 88.6 to 99.4% chlordecone, 3.5-6.0% water and 0.1% hexachlorocyclopentadiene.

Chlordecone was avail in the USA until 1976 as a tech grade, typically containing 94.5% of the chemical (72.3% chlorine content), 0.30% methanol insolubles, 5.09% water, 0.01% sulfate, and 0.10% hexachlorocyclopentadiene.

Chemical Classes -> Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Food Contaminant -> CONTAMINANT; Food Contaminant -> -> JECFA Functional Classes

INSECTICIDES

The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard identifies Kepone as an active ingredient believed to be obsolete or discontinued for use as a pesticide.

Chlordecone is produced during the synthesis of Mirex.

Chlordecone is a ketone analog of mirex.

Discontinued 1977 by Allied Chem Corporation.