IPCS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY
Health and Safety Guide No. 13
CHLORDANE
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDE
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, GENEVA
This is a companion volume to Environmental Health Criteria 34:
Chlordane This report contains the collective views of an
international group of experts and does not necessarily represent
the decisions or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment
Programme, the International Labour Organisation, or the World
Health Organization
Published by the World Health Organization for the International
Programme on Chemical Safety (a collaborative programme of the
United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour
Organisation, and the World Health Organization)
ISBN 92 4 154330 2
(c) World Health Organization 1988
Publications of the World Health Organization enjoy copyright
protection in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 2 of the
Universal Copyright Convention. For rights of reproduction or
translation of WHO publications, in part or in toto, application
should be made to the Office of Publications, World Health
Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization
welcomes such applications.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in
this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion
whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Health
Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory,
city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation
of its frontiers or boundaries.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers'
products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the
World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar
nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the
names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital
letters.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1. Identity
1.2. Physical and chemical properties
1.3. Analytical methods
1.4. Production and uses
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1. Chlordane toxicity
2.2. Human exposure to chlordane
2.3. Evaluation of effects on the environment
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1. Conclusions
3.2. Recommendations
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1. Main human health hazards, prevention and
protection, first aid
4.1.1. Advice to physicians
4.1.1.1 Symptoms of poisoning
4.1.1.2 Medical advice
4.2. Health surveillance advice
4.3. Safety in use
4.4. Explosion and fire hazards
4.4.1. Explosion hazards
4.4.2. Fire hazards
4.5. Storage
4.5.1. Leaking containers in store
4.6. Transport
4.7. Spillage and disposal
4.7.1. Spillage
4.7.1.1 Solid products
4.7.1.2 Liquid products
4.7.1.3 All products
4.7.2. Disposal
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
7.1. Previous evaluations by international bodies
7.2. Exposure limit values
7.3. Specific restrictions
7.4. Labelling, packaging, and transport
7.5. Waste disposal
7.6. Other measures
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
The International Programme on Chemical Safety prepares for
publication a series of Environmental Health Criteria (EHC)
documents, each of which includes an assessment of the effects on
human health and the environment of exposure to a specific chemical,
or group of chemicals, and gives guidelines for setting exposure
limits. The Health and Safety Guides complement the criteria
documents and are intended to facilitate the application of the
guidelines in national chemical safety programmes.
The first three sections of each Health and Safety Guide highlight
the relevant technical information from the corresponding EHC
document. Section 4 includes advice on preventive and protective
measures and action to be taken in an emergency. All health staff
should be thoroughly familiar with this information to ensure that
they can act rapidly and efficiently in an emergency. Hazards for
the environment and their prevention are discussed in section 5.
Each Guide indicates the information to be included in an
International Chemical Safety Card, which should be prominently
displayed in all areas where there is a possibility of exposure to
the chemical(s). The information included in the final section on
current national regulations and standards has been obtained from
the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC)
and from other United Nations sources.
The target readership for the Health and Safety Guides includes the
staff of occupational health services and government ministries and
agencies, and personnel in industry and the trade unions who are
concerned with the safe use of chemicals and the avoidance of
environmental health hazards. The information on the prevention of,
and protection against, accidents will be of vital interest to all
workers who are involved in the production and handling of toxic
chemicals. A bibliography has been included for readers who require
further background information.
The information in this Guide will be revised in due course, and the
eventual aim is to use standardized terminology.
Comments on any difficulties encountered in using this Guide would
be very helpful and should be addressed to:
The Manager
International Programme on Chemical Safety
Division of Environmental Health
World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
THE INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A STARTING
POINT TO A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMME
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1 Identity
Common name: Chlordane
Chemical formula: C10H6Cl8
Chemical structure:
Common trade names: Aspon, Belt, CD 68, Chlorindan,
Chlorkil, Chlordane, Corodan,
Cortilan-neu, Dowchlor, HCS 3260, Intox,
Kypchlor, M140, Niran, Octachlor,
Octaterr, Ortho-Klor, Starchlor,
Synklor, Topichlor, Toxichlor,
Velsicol-1068
CAS chemical name: 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,
7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indene
CAS registry number: 57-47-9
RTECS registry number: PB9800000
Relative molecular mass: 409.8
1.2 Physical and Chemical Properties
Technical chlordane is a light yellow to amber-coloured viscous
liquid. The melting point of the alpha-isomer is 106-107°C and that
of the gamma-isomer, 104-105 °C. It has a density of 1.59-1.63 g/ml
and a vapour pressure of 1 x 10-5 mmHg at 25°C. It is practically
insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents.
The term chlordane actually refers to a complex mixture of chlordane
isomers, other chlorinated hydrocarbons, and by-products. Technical
chlordane is a mixture of at least 26 different components, mainly,
however, alpha- and gamma-chlordane, as well as heptachlor.
Chlordane is available in five basic formulations, including 5%
granules, oil solutions containing chlordane at 2-200 g/litre, and
emulsifiable concentrates containing chlordane at 400-800 g/litre.
1.3 Analytical methods
Determination of chlordane residues is difficult because of the
complex nature of the components and the fact that each component
degrades independently. Resulting residues may bear little relation
to the proportions in the technical product. Extraction from crops,
other plant products, dairy products, plants, and oils was achieved
with an 80-110% efficiency using acetonitrile for extraction,
petroleum ether for partitioning, and clean-up on a Florisil column.
Gel permeation chromatography can also be used for clean-up,
particularly with human adipose tissue.
The method of choice for the qualitative and quantitative estimation
of chlordane isomers is gas-liquid chromatography with
electron-capture detection. Confirmation of gas chromatographic
analysis can be carried out with gas-liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry, a method that can also give a better determination of
some of the components, such as heptachlor epoxide.
Analysis for total organically-bound chlorine remains the preferred
method for the determination of technical chlordane and the active
ingredient (chlordane) in formulations.
1.4 Production and uses
Chlordane was first produced commercially in the USA in 1947. In
1974, production in the USA amounted to 9.5 million kg. Both the
amounts of chlordane produced and those used have decreased
considerably in recent years.
Chlordane has been used as an insecticide for more than 35 years.
It is a versatile, broad-spectrum, contact insecticide and is used
mainly for non-agricultural purposes (primarily for the protection
of structures, but also on lawn and turf, ornamental trees, and
drainage ditches). Furthermore, it is used on corn, potatoes, and
livestock.
Recently, the use of chlordane has been increasingly restricted in
many countries (section 7.3).
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1 Chlordane Toxicity
Chlordane is readily absorbed in both animals and man through the
skin, ingestion, and probably also inhalation. Some accumulation
occurs in the body on repeated exposure - mainly in adipose tissue.
Elimination from the body is fairly slow. The biological half-life
in various species, including man, is of the order of a few weeks.
The oral LD50 values of chlordane in the rat range from 200 to
590 mg/kg body weight. Thus, chlordane is moderately toxic in acute
exposures.
Acute poisoning in man and animals is characterized by
manifestations of central nervous system stimulation, such as
disorientation, tremors, and convulsions. Death may follow
respiratory failure.
In experimental animals (rats and dogs), prolonged exposure to
levels in the diet exceeding 3-5 mg/kg resulted in the induction of
hepatic microsomal enzymes and, at a later stage, liver hypertrophy
with histological changes. At higher levels (i.e., >15 mg/kg body
weight per day), chlordane is hepatotoxic.
At dosages above 30 mg/kg diet, chlordane interferes with
reproduction in rats and mice. There are no indications for
teratogenicity in the rabbit at 15 mg/kg body weight per day.
Chlordane produces hepatocellular carcinomas in mice. It is not
generally active in short-term tests designed to measure genetic
activity. Chlordane can interfere with cell to cell communication
in vitro, a characteristic of many promoting agents.
2.2 Human Exposure to Chlordane
Food is the major source of exposure of the general population to
chlordane, but the use of chlordane on food crops has decreased and
residues in food of animal origin are low. Significant exposure to
chlordane can occur in buildings where chlordane has been used for
termite or other insect control.
No adverse health effects have been reported in workers engaged in
the manufacture of chlordane or in pest-control operations.
However, several cases of accidental and suicidal poisoning in man
have been reported. The acute lethal dose for man is estimated to
be 25-50 mg/kg body weight.
2.3 Evaluation of Effects on the Environment
Chlordane is stable to light. It is readily adsorbed on soil
particles and therefore there is probably no significant migration
through the soil profile or leaching into ground-water. Some
volatilization into air from treated soils, and some run-off into
surface waters can take place.
Chlordane is persistent in soil and sediments, especially in the
form of its alpha- and gamma-isomers, which are, to a certain
extent, translocated into crops grown on the soil.
Chlordane is used primarily to control soil pests. Technical
chlordane is a mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons and contains
heptachlor, which might contribute to the insecticidal properties of
the technical formulation.
About half of the chlordane applied to soil disappears in the first
season, presumably by volatilisation or by "run-off" into surface
waters. Remaining residues persist for several seasons. If
chlordane is applied annually for several successive seasons,
residues accumulate in the soil. Most chlordane persists in the
cultivated layers, since there is little leaching into subsoil.
The high rate of metabolism of chlordane in warm-blooded animals
probably means that there is little possibility of accumulation in
these animals or magnification in food chains at this level.
Concentration factors are generally modest in aquatic organisms;
this combined with its low solubility in water means that chlordane
presents a limited hazard for aquatic vertebrates.
Long-term effects are not sufficiently well-documented concerning
whether there is a potential hazard for fish, but this seems
unlikely from the information available, as far as temperate areas
are concerned. The toxicity of the compound increases at higher
temperatures. Mortality rates in tropical fish species at
concentrations well within the solubility of the compound, suggest
that chlordane may be a greater aquatic hazard at lower latitudes.
The high toxicity of chlordane for earthworms may constitute its
greatest potential environmental hazard. The long-term effects of
reduced numbers of earthworms in the soil cannot be readily assessed
because the ecology of the animal is still poorly understood.
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Conclusions
Although there is no evidence that chlordane is a human carcinogen,
the suspicion, principally arising from the mouse carcinogenicity
studies, cannot be entirely ignored. Further research is required
to look into this problem. Nevertheless, with the present state of
knowledge, it is concluded that:
(a) As long as occupational hygiene procedures are maintained to
keep exposure levels to a minimum, whether or not by the
imposition of maximum allowable concentrations, there is little
reason to believe that workers will be at risk from handling, or
contact with, chlordane.
(b) Members of the general population should not suffer any adverse
effects from chlordane residues in food, provided that intake is
kept within the ADI set by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on
Pesticide Residues.
In certain regions of the world, the exposure of the general
population to chlordane may be increased if it is used in
buildings for the control of termites.
(c) Apart from the possible long-term adverse effects on aquatic
organisms in tropical areas and the depleted soil fertility that
may arise, in time, from the suppression of the earthworm
population, chlordane does not seem to pose a problem for the
environment during its normal use as a termiticide and in other
non-agricultural applications.
3.2 Recommendations
(a) Figures relating to the current production and use of chlordane
should be made available;
(b) More information on human exposure from sources other than food,
such as its use in termite control, is required.
From: Environmental Health Criteria 34: Chlordane
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1 Main Human Health Hazards, Prevention and Protection, First Aid
Chlordane is an organochlorine insecticide. It is toxic and can be
hazardous for human beings if incorrectly or carelessly handled. It
is therefore essential that the correct precautions are observed
during handling and use.
For details see the International Chemical Safety Card on pages 22-25.
4.1.1 Advice to Physicians
4.1.1.1 Symptoms of poisoning
Chlordane is toxic when ingested, through skin contact (especially
liquid formulations), and by inhalation of dust from powder
concentrates. It acts as a stimulant of the central nervous system.
Symptoms, following accidental ingestion or over-exposure, may
include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness in the legs,
and convulsions.
4.1.1.2 Medical advice
Medical treatment is largely symptomatic and supportive and directed
against convulsions and anoxaemia. If swallowed, vomiting should
not be induced and emetics are contraindicated, because many liquid
formulations contain hydrocarbons and there is risk of aspiration
pneumonia. Instead, the stomach should be emptied as soon as
possible by careful gastric lavage, with a cuffed endotracheal tube
in place to avoid aspiration into the lungs. This should be
followed by intragastric administration of 3-4 tablespoons of
activated charcoal and 30 g of magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate
in a 30% aqueous solution. Oily purgatives are contraindicated. No
fats, oils or milk should be given.
If convulsions occur, anticonvulsants should be given, e.g.,
diazepam 10 mg slowly intravenously (children 1-5 mg), repeated as
necessary; or thiopental sodium, or hexobarbital sodium slowly
intravenously in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, with a maximum
total dose of up to 750 mg for an adult, or paraldehyde at 5 ml by
intramuscular injection. These short-acting anticonvulsants should
always be followed by phenobarbital given orally at 3 mg/kg (up to
a total of 200 mg for an adult), or phenobarbital sodium given
intramuscularly at 3 mg/kg body weight (also up to 200 mg for an
adult).
Morphine and its derivatives, epinephrine and noradrenaline should
never be given.
An unobstructed airway must be maintained. Respiratory inadequacy,
which may be accentuated by barbiturate anticonvulsants, should be
corrected; oxygen and/or artificial ventilation may be needed.
4.2 Health Surveillance Advice
A complete medical history should be taken and a physical
examination made annually. Special attention should be paid to
liver and kidney function.
4.3 Safety in Use
Handling liquid formulations:
- Wear protective neoprene or PVC gloves, cotton overalls,
rubber boots and face shield.
- Handling powder formulations:
- Avoid raising a dust cloud. Wear protective neoprene or PVC
gloves, cotton overalls, and dust mask.
4.4 Explosion and Fire Hazards
4.4.1 Explosion hazards
The explosion hazard will depend on the solvent used in the
formulation or on the characteristics of the dust.
4.4.2 Fire hazards
Liquid formulations containing organic solvents may be flammable.
Fires should be extinguished with alcohol-resistant foam, carbon
dioxide, or powder.
With sufficient burning or external heat, chlordane will decompose
emitting toxic fumes. Fire-fighters should wear self-contained
breathing apparatus, eye protection, and full protective clothing.
The use of a water spray should be confined to the cooling of
unaffected stock, thus avoiding the accumulation of polluted
run-off from the site.
4.5 Storage
Products should be stored in locked buildings preferably dedicated
to insecticides.
Keep products out of reach of children and unauthorised personnel.
Do not store near foodstuffs or animal feed.
4.5.1 Leaking containers in store
Take precautions and use appropriate personal protection (see
section 4.3). Empty any product remaining in damaged/leaking
containers into a clean empty drum, which should then be tightly
closed and suitably labelled.
Sweep up spillage with sawdust, sand, or earth (moisten for
powders), and dispose of safely.
Emptied leaking containers should be rinsed with at least 1 litre of
water per 20-litre drum. Swirl round to rinse the walls, empty and
add the rinsings to the sawdust or earth. Do not re-use containers
for any other purpose. Puncture containers to prevent re-use.
4.6 Transport
Comply with any local requirements regarding the movement of
hazardous goods. Do not transport with feed or foodstuffs. Make
sure that containers are in good condition and labels undamaged
before despatch.
4.7 Spillage and Disposal
4.7.1 Spillage
Before dealing with any spillage, precautions should be taken as
required and appropriate personal protection should be used (see
section 4.3).
4.7.1.1 Solid products
Sweep up and absorb remaining spilled product with moist sawdust,
sand, or earth and transfer in suitable container to safe place for
disposal (see section 4.7.2).
4.7.1.2 Liquid products
Prevent liquid from spreading or contaminating other cargo,
vegetation, or waterways, by making a barrier of the most suitable
available material, e.g., earth or sand.
Absorb spilled liquid with sawdust, sand, or earth, sweep up and
place it in a closeable container for later transfer to a safe place
for disposal (see section 4.7.2).
4.7.1.3 All products
As soon as possible after the spillage and before re-use, cover all
contaminated areas with damp sawdust, sand, or earth. Sweep up and
place in a closeable container for later transfer to a safe place
for disposal. Since chlordane is toxic for fish, care should be
taken to avoid run-off into water courses.
4.7.2 Disposal
Surplus product and contaminated absorbants and containers should be
disposed of in an appropriate way. Chlordane is not readily
decomposed chemically or biologically and is relatively persistent.
Waste material should be burned only in a proper incinerator
designed for organochlorine waste disposal (1000°C and 30-min
residence time with effluent gas scrubbing). If this is not
possible, bury in an approved dump or landfill where there is no
risk of contamination of surface- or ground-water. Comply with any
local legislation regarding disposal of toxic wastes.
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
Chlordane may pose a toxic hazard for many aquatic and terrestrial
species. It is highly toxic to earthworms, and as a result there
may be an effect on soil fertility. Chlordane is fairly persistent
in soil and may bioaccumulate and biomagnify.
Industrial discharges during manufacture, formulation, and use
should not be allowed to pollute the environment and should be
treated properly.
Any spillage or unused product should be prevented from spreading to
vegetation or waterways and should be treated and disposed of
properly (see section 4.7).
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
This card should be easily available to all health workers
concerned with, and users of, chlordane. It should be displayed at,
or near, entrances to areas where there is potential exposure to
chlordane, and on processing equipment and containers. The card
should be translated into the appropriate language(s). All persons
potentially exposed to the chemical should also have the
instructions on the chemical safety card clearly explained.
Space is available on the card for insertion of the National
Occupational Exposure Limit, the address and telephone number of
the National Poison Control Centre, and for local trade names.
INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
CHLORDANE
(CAS chemical name: 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indene)
(CAS registry number: 57-47-9; RTECS registry number: PB9800000)
(C10H6Cl8)
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Melting point (°C): Technical chlordane is a viscous light yellow to amber
alpha-isomer 106 - 107 coloured liquid; stable in storage at ambient temperatures;
gamma isomer 104 - 105 it is a mixture of at least 26 different components,
mainly alpha and gamma chlordane, as well as
Density 1.59 - 1.63 g/ml heptachlor; its chlordane content is 64-67%; it is a
broad-spectrum insecticide used mainly for
Vapour pressure (mmHg at 25°C) 1 × 10-5 non-agricultural purposes; its use has been increasingly
restricted
Relative molecular mass 409.8
Solubility:
in water (25°C) 9 µg/litre (practically
insoluble)
in most organic solvents soluble
HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION FIRST AID
SKIN: Overexposure may cause Avoid skin contact; wear Remove contaminated clothing
poisoning protective clothing, PVC or immediately, wash skin with water and
neoprene gloves, rubber boots soap
EYES: Irritation, redness Wear face-shield or goggles Flush with clean water for 15 minutes;
if irritation persists, seek medical
attention
INHALATION: Dust may irritate Wear dust mask
INGESTION: Unlikely occupational Do not eat, drink, or smoke
hazard during work
Accidental or intentional ingestion Obtain medical attention immediately;
may cause poisoning do not induce vomiting; keep at rest
lying face downwards
REPEATED EXPOSURE
THROUGH SKIN, OR BY
INHALATION OR
INGESTION: Poisoning may occur Precautions and personal protection In case of poisoning, same as above
after a considerable time due to a as above; take shower and put on
slow build up of toxicant in the body clean clothing after work
ENVIRONMENT: Toxic for aquatic Do not spill on feed or
and terrestrial life in water ways
SPILLAGE STORAGE FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Take appropriate personal Products should be stored in Liquid formulations will burn and emulsifiable
precautions; prevent liquid locked buildings preferably concentrates are miscible with water;
from spreading or contaminating dedicated to insecticides extinguish fires with alcohol-resistant
other cargo, vegetation, or foam, carbon dioxide, or powder; with sufficient
waterways, with a barrier of the burning or external heat, chlordane
most suitable available material, Keep products out of reach of will decompose emitting toxic fumes; the
e.g., earth or sand children and unauthorized smoke and fumes could be injurious
personnel; do not store near through inhalation, or absorption through
Absorb spilled liquid with foodstuffs or animal feed the skin; therefore, fire-fighters require
sawdust, sand, or earth; sweep up protective clothing and self-contained
and place it in a closeable container breathing apparatus; confine the use of water
for later safe disposal spray to cooling of unaffected stock, thus
avoiding polluted run-off from the site
WASTE DISPOSAL NATIONAL INFORMATION
Chlordane is not readily decomposed National Occupational Exposure UN No. 2762, 2995, 2996
chemically or biologically Limit:
and is relatively persistent;
waste material should be burned
in a proper incinerator designed National Poison Control Centre
for organochlorine waste disposal;
if this is not possible, bury in
an approved dump or landfill where
there is no risk of contamination Local trade names
of surface or ground water;
comply with any local legislation
regarding disposal of toxic wastes
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
The information given in this section has been extracted from the
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) legal
file and other UN sources. Its intention is to give the reader a
representative but not exhaustive overview of current regulations,
guidelines, and standards.
The reader should be aware that regulatory decisions about chemicals
taken in a certain country can only be fully understood in the
framework of the legislation of that country.a
7.1 Previous Evaluations by International Bodies
An IARC Working Group (IARC, 1982) concluded that the available
epidemiological studies on chlordane were inadequate for the
evaluation of the cancer risk for man and that there was limited
evidence of the carcinogenicity of chlordane for experimental
animals. This conclusion was confirmed in 1987.
WHO has recommended a guideline value of 0-0.3 µg/litre for
chlordane (total isomers) in drinking-water (WHO, 1982).
The FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) reviewed
residues and toxicity data on chlordane on several occasions in the
past (1965, 1967, 1970, 1977, 1984, and 1986). In 1972, it
re-established residue tolerences for food ranging from 0.2 to
0.5 mg/kg for the sum of alpha- and gamma-isomers of chlordane and
oxychlordane. An acceptable daily intake (ADI) for human beings of
0-0.0005 mg/kg body weight was established in 1986.
In the WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard, the
LD50 "for classification purposes" is the oral value of 460 mg/kg
and the liquid active ingredient is in Class II (moderately
hazardous). This means that liquid formulations containing 20%
active ingredient or less or solid formulations containing 90%
active ingredient or less fall into Class III (slightly hazardous).
A data sheet on chlordane is available from the Division of Vector
Biology and Control, World Health Organization, in the series "Data
Sheets on Pesticides" (WHO/FAO, 1975-78).
a The regulations and guidelines of all countries are subject to
change and should always be verified with the appropriate
regulatory authorities before application.
7.2 Exposure Limit Values
Some exposure limit values are given in the table on pages 28-31.
When no effective date appears in the IRPTC legal file, the year of
the reference from which the data are taken is indicated by (r).
7.3 Specific Restrictions
The use of chlordane is prohibited in several countries, including
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Finland, the German Democratic Republic,
Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, the USA, the USSR, and
Yugoslavia. In Canada, the registration of chlordane limited it to
use as a restricted class termiticide, from 1985 onwards. The
European Community legislation prohibits the marketing and use of
plant protection products containing chlordane. The use of
chlordane is restricted in Cyprus and Venezuela. It must be
registered for import, export, or manufacture in India. Chlordane
has not been used in Norway since 1968.
7.4 Labelling, Packaging and Transport
The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transportation of
Dangerous Goods classified chlordane in:
Hazard class 6.1: poisonous substance
Packing group III: a substance presenting a relatively low risk
of poisoning in transport (chlordane
concentrations 55%)
EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUES
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit descriptiona Value Effective
organization date
AIR Occupational Argentina Maximum permissible Concentration (MPC) 1979
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
- Short-term exposure limit (STEL) 2 mg/m3
Austria Threshold limit value (TLV) 1983 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
Belgium Threshold limit value (TLV) 0.5 mg/m3
Germany, Maximum work-site concentration (MAK) 1985 (r)
Federal - 8-h time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3
Republic of - Short-term exposure level (STEL) 5 mg/m3
(30 min, 1 x per shift)
Italy Threshold limit value (TLV) 0.5 mg/m3 1985 (r)
Netherlands Maximum limit (MXL)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
AIR Occupational Romania Maximum permissible concentration (MPC) 1975 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.3 mg/m3
- Ceiling value (CLV) 0.6 mg/m3
Switzerland Maximum work-site concentration (MAK) 1984 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
United Recommended limit (RECL) 1985 (r)
Kingdom - 8-h time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3
- Short-term exposure level (STEL) 2 mg/m3
(10-min time-weighted average)
a Limit of determination.
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit descriptiona Value Effective
organization date
USA Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 1974
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
AIR Occupational USSR Maximum allowable concentration (MAC) 1987
- Ceiling value (CLV) 0.01 mg/m3
Yugoslavia Maximum allowable concentration (MAC) 1977 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 0.5 mg/m3
FOOD Intake from FAO/WHO Acceptable daily intake (ADI) 0.0005 mg/kg 1986
USSR Acceptable daily intake (ADI) 0.0005 mg/kg
FOOD General Argentina Maximum limit 0-0.3 mg/kg 1971 (r)
FOOD General USA Acceptable residue limit (ARL) 1981 (r)
- Raw agricultural products 0.03-0.3 mg/kg
USSR Prohibited in all food products
FOOD Plant Brazil Acceptable limit 0.3 mg/kg 1979 (r)
Czechoslovakia Maximum residue limit (MRL) 1978
- Imported food only 0.1-0.3 mg/kg
European Maximum residue limit (MRL) 1988
Community - Cereals 0.02 mg/kg
FAO/WHO Extraneous residue limit 0.02-0.5 mg/kg 1985 (r)
a Limit of determination.
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit descriptiona Value Effective
organization date
Germany, Maximum residue limit (MRL) 0.01-0.05 mg/kg 1984
Federal
Republic of
India Maximum tolerable concentration 0.05-0.3 mg/kg 1976
FOOD Plant Kenya Maximum limit 0.02-0.5 mg/kg 1978 (r)
Netherlands Maximum tolerable concentration 0.02-0.1 mg/kg 1987 (r)
FOOD Plant Sweden Maximum tolerable concentration 0.1 mg/kg 1985
FOOD Animal European Maximum residue limit (MRL) 1988
Community - In specified products 0.002-0.05 mg/kg
(see section 7.6) mg/kg
FAO/WHO General limit
- In fat 0.02-0.05 mg/kg
FOOD Animal Germany, Maximum residue limit (MRL) 1984
Federal - Oxychlordane 0.01-0.05 mg/kg
Republic of
Netherlands Maximum tolerable concentration 1987 (r)
- In fat 0.05 mg/kg
GOODS Germany, Maximum residue level (MRL)
Federal - In tobacco 0.2 mg/kg
Republic of
a Limit of determination.
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit descriptiona Value Effective
organization date
WATER Ambient Mexico Maximum permissible concentration 1973
- Coastal 0.002 mg/litre
- Estuarine 0.002 mg/litre
- Water treated for drinking 0.003 mg/litre
WATER Drinking- WHO Guideline value 0.3 µg/litre 1983 (r)
a Limit of determination.
The label should be as follows:
St Andrew's Cross over an ear of wheat (black); Background: white.
The bottom half of the label should bear the inscriptions: harmful,
stow away from foodstuffs.
The FAO specification for plant protection products for chlordane
(technical product and formulations) advises on the composition and
purity of chlordane and methods for the checking.
In the technical product, the two chlordane isomers should total
approximately 50%, and none of the other components (manufacturing
impurities and stabilizers) should exceed 10%.
The European Community Legislation requires labelling as a dangerous
substance, using the following symbol:
The label must read: harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed;
possible risk of irreversible effects; wear suitable protective
clothing and gloves.
The European Community legislation on labelling of pesticides
preparations classifies chlordane in Class II/D for the purpose of
determining the label for preparations containing chlordane and
other active ingredients.
7.5 Waste Disposal
In the USA, chlordane (technical mixture and formulations) is
classified as a toxic pollutant for which the EPA has set effluent
limitations and pre-treatment standards. Permits are required for
discharge from any point source into US waters. Hazardous waste
incinerators must achieve 99.99% destruction of this substance.
7.6 Other Measures
The European Community legislation requires that Member States
should prescribe that, from the time that cereals are put into
circulation (wheat, millet, grain sorghum, triticale, etc.), they
may not contain (in and on) chlordane residue levels exceeding
0.02 mg/kg (applicable latest by June 1988).
The European Community legislation requires that Member States
should prescribe that, from the time that foodstuffs of animal
origin (meat, poultry, milk, butter, cheese, etc.) are put into
circulation, they may not contain chlordane residue levels (sum of
cis and trans isomers and oxychlordane expressed as chlordane)
exceeding 0.05 mg/kg in the fat of meat and poultry or exceeding
0.002 mg/kg (sum of cis and trans isomers and oxychlordane expressed
as chlordane) in raw cow's milk, whole cream cow's milk, butter,
cheese (applicable latest by June 1988).
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