Chemical Properties
White Solid
General Description
Odorless white crystalline solid.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
MIREX is sensitive to exposure to sunlight. MIREX may react with strong oxidizers. MIREX reacts with lithium and tertiary butyl alcohol.
Health Hazard
INGESTION, INHALATION, OR SKIN EXPOSURE: Gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, and possible diarrhea. Malaise, headache, CNS excitation with tremor, paresthesias, ataxia, confusion, convulsions, and ventricular fibrillation. CNS depression and central respiratory paralysis may occur.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Supports combustion
Hazard
Nephrotoxic, highly toxic, possible car-cinogen, teratogen, tumorigen, mutagen, poi-sonous, environmentally persistent, and bioaccu-mulates.
Potential Exposure
A potential danger to those involved
in the manufacture, formulation, and application of the
insecticide (particularly effective against fire ants). Also
used as a fire retardant in plastics. Not produced in the
United States but may be found in imported products.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin
is of extreme importance. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions,
including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and
CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a
medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed,
get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and
induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN2761 Organochlorine pesticides, solid, toxic,
Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions.
Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases,
strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, dichromates.
Waste Disposal
High-temperature incineration
is recommended. In accordance with 40CFR165, follow recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide
containers. Must be disposed properly by following
package label directions or by contacting your local or federal
environmental control agency, or by contacting your
regional EPA office.
Uses
An insecticide for fire ants. Formerly used as a fire retardant for plastics, rubber, paint, paper, electric goods. Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
Uses
Formerly as fire retardant for plastics, rubber, paint, paper, electrical goods; insecticide for fire ants.
Definition
ChEBI: Mirex is an organochlorine insecticide and a chlorocarbon. It has a role as a persistent organic pollutant.
Carcinogenicity
Mirex is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental
animals.
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Store in a cool area in closed containers awayfrom oxidizers and dichromates. A regulated, marked areashould be established where this chemical is handled,used, or stored in compliance with OSHA Standard1910.1045.
