Description
Chlordane is a viscous, amber-coloured liquid. Technical-grade chlordane is a mixture
of many structurally related compounds including trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane,
chlordene, heptachlor, and trans-nonachlor. Chlordane was used as a broad-spectrum pesticide in the United States from 1948 to 1988. The uses included termite control in homes
and pest control on agricultural crops such as maize and citrus, on home lawns, gardens,
turf, and ornamental plants. Chlordane is a persistent organochlorine insecticide. It kills
insects when ingested and on contact. Formulations include dusts, emulsifiable concentrates,
granules, oil solutions, and wettable powder.
Chemical Properties
Chlordane is a viscous, amber-colored liquid. Technical grade chlordane is a mixture of
many structurally related compounds including trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, -chlordene, heptachlor, and trans-nonachlor. 14,15 Chlordane was used as a broad-spectrum
pesticide in the United States from 1948 to 1988. Its uses included termite control in homes;
pest control on agricultural crops such as maize and citrus, on home lawns, gardens,
turf, and ornamental plants. Chlordane is a persistent organochlorine insecticide. It kills
insects when ingested and on contact. Formulations include dusts, emulsifi able concentrates, granules, oil solutions, and wettable powder.
Chemical Properties
off-white powder
Chemical Properties
Chlordane is a colorless, or light-yellow or
amber, thick liquid. Pungent, chlorine-like odor. It may
occur as a crystalline solid.
Physical properties
Colorless to amber to yellowish-brown, viscous liquid. Technical formulations impart an aromatic,
slight pungent odor similar to chlorine
Uses
Chlordane is a persistent non-systemic contact and ingested
insecticide with some fumigant action. It is used as a wood preservative,
protective treatment for underground cables, and to reduce earthworm
populations in lawns. It is used against Formicidae, Coleoptera,
Noctuidae larva, Saltatoria, subterranean termites, and many other insect
pests. It controls household insects, pests of man and domestic animals.
Uses
Insecticide and fumigant.
Uses
Insecticide, fumigant.
Definition
ChEBI: Chlordane is a cyclodiene organochlorine insecticide. It has a role as a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist and a persistent organic pollutant. It derives from a hydride of an indene.
Hazard
A possible carcinogen. Toxic by ingestion,
inhalation, and skin absorption. Liver damage.
Health Hazard
Highly toxic to humans by ingestion; moderately toxic in test animals; skin absorption or inhalation of its vapors can producepoisoning effects; exhibits acute, delayed,and chronic effects; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritation,confusion ataxia, tremor, and convulsions;delayed development of liver disease andblood disorder also reported (U.S. EPA1988); human death may result from ingestion of 10–20 g of pure compound or topical skin application of 50 g in 30 minutes;moderately irritating to skin; oral LD50value in rats ～300 mg/kg; exposure limit0.5 mg/kg: exposure limit 0.5 mg/m
3 (skin);RCRA Waste Number U036; US EPA listedextremely hazardous substance; LD50 data inliterature inconsistent:
LD50 oral (rat): 200–600 mg/kg
LD50 oral (rabbit): 100 mg/kg
LD50 skin (rat): 690 mg/kg.
Health Hazard
Exposures to chlordane cause adverse health effects and poisoning to animals and
humans. The acute oral LD50 values of technical grade chlordane for the rat range from
137 to 590 mg/kg and acute dermal LD50 for the rabbit is 1720 mg/kg. Signs of acute
chlordane intoxication include ataxia, convulsions, and cyanosis followed by death due
to respiratory failure. Rats treated by gavage with 100 mg/kg once a day for 4 days had
increased absolute liver weights; fatty infi ltration of the liver; and increased serum triglycerides, creatine phosphokinase, and lactic acid dehydrogenase. Sheep treated by stomach
tube with 500 mg/kg showed signs of intoxication, but recovered fully within 5–6 days; a
dose of 1000 mg/kg resulted in death after 48 h.
Ingestion of chlordane induces vomiting, dry cough, agitation and restlessness, hemorrhagic gastritis, bronchopneumonia, muscle twitching, convulsions, and death among
humans. Non-lethal, but accidental poisoning of children has resulted in convulsions,
excitability, loss of coordination, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Recovery, however, was complete. Ingestion of chlordane contaminated water (1.2 g/L) caused symptoms of gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Chronic inhalation of chlordane produced symptoms
of poisoning that included, but were not limited to, sinusitis, bronchitis, dermatitis, neuritis, migraine, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, memory defi cits, personality changes, Exposures to chlordane cause adverse health effects and poisoning to animals and
humans. The acute oral LD50 values of technical grade chlordane for the rat range from
137 to 590 mg/kg and acute dermal LD50 for the rabbit is 1720 mg/kg. Signs of acute
chlordane intoxication include ataxia, convulsions, and cyanosis followed by death due
to respiratory failure. Rats treated by gavage with 100 mg/kg once a day for 4 days had
increased absolute liver weights; fatty infi ltration of the liver; and increased serum triglycerides, creatine phosphokinase, and lactic acid dehydrogenase. Sheep treated by stomach
tube with 500 mg/kg showed signs of intoxication, but recovered fully within 5–6 days; a
dose of 1000 mg/kg resulted in death after 48 h.
Ingestion of chlordane induces vomiting, dry cough, agitation and restlessness, hemorrhagic gastritis, bronchopneumonia, muscle twitching, convulsions, and death among
humans. Non-lethal, but accidental poisoning of children has resulted in convulsions,
excitability, loss of coordination, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Recovery, however, was complete. Ingestion of chlordane contaminated water (1.2 g/L) caused symptoms of gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Chronic inhalation of chlordane produced symptoms
of poisoning that included, but were not limited to, sinusitis, bronchitis, dermatitis, neuritis, migraine, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, memory defi cits, personality changes, decreased attention span, numbness or paresthesias, blood dyscrasias, disorientation, loss
of coordination, dry eyes, and seizures. Chlordane-treated laboratory rats showed blood
diseases, including aplastic anemia and acute leukemia
Agricultural Uses
Insecticide: Not approved for use in EU countries. Since 1988, the use and commercial production of chlordane (except for export) has been prohibited in the United States and other countries. The only commercial use still permitted is for fire ant control in power transformers. Chlordane is a broad-spectrum insecticide of the group of polycyclic chlorinated hydrocarbons called cyclodiene insecticides. Chlordane has been used extensively since the 1950s for termite control, as an insecticide for homes and gardens, and as a control for soil insects during the production of crops such as corn. Both the uses and the production volume of chlordane have decreased extensively since the issuance of a registration suspension notice for all food crops and home and garden uses of chlordane by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, significant commercial use of chlordane for termite control continues. Special groups at risk include children as a result of milk consumed; fishermen and their families because of the high consumption of fish and shellfish, especially freshwater fish; persons living downwind from treated fields; and persons living in houses treated with chlordane pesticide control agents.
Trade name
A SPON-CHLORDANE®; BELT®; CD 68®; CHLORINDAN®; CHLOR KIL®; CHLORODANE®; CORODANE®; CHLORTOX®; DOWCHLOR®[C]; DOW-KLOR®[C]; GOLD CREST®[C]; KILEX LINDANE®; HCS 3260®; KYPCHLOR®; M 140®; M 410®; NIRAN®; OCTACHLOR®; OKTATERR®; OMS 1437®; ORTHO-KLOR®[C]; SD 5532®; SHELL SD-5532®[C]; SYNKLOR®; TAT®; TAT CHLOR® 4; TERMEX®; TOPICHLOR® 20; TOPICLOR®; TOXICHLOR®; VELSICOL® 1068[C]
Safety Profile
Confirmed carcinogen
with experimental carcinogenic data. Poison
to humans by ingestion and possibly other
routes. An experimental poison by ingestion,
inhalation, intravenous, and intraperitoneal
routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact.
Human systemic effects by ingestion or skin
contact: tremors, convulsions, excitement,
ataxia (loss of muscle coordination), and
gastritis. Experimental teratogenic and
reproductive effects. Human mutation data
reported. Combustible liquid. It is no longer
permitted for use as a termiticide in homes.
A central nervous system stimulant whose
exact mode of action is unknown, but it may
involve microsomal enzyme stimulation.
Animals poisoned by this and related compounds show an extremely marked loss
of appetite and neurological symptoms. The
fatal dose to humans is unknown. It has
,
been estimated to be between 6 and 60 g
(0.2 and 2 ounces). One person receiving
~~Oan accidental slan application of 25%
solution (amounting to somethmg over 30
g of technical chlordane) developed
symptoms withm about 40 minutes and
ded, apparently of respiratory failure, before
medical attention was obtained. In two
patients, death followed exposure to low
ingestion doses of chlordane (2-4 g). On
microscopic examination, both patients
showed severe chronic fatty degeneration of
the liver, characteristic of chronic
alcoholism. Although these two fatalities
cannot be attributed exclusively to
chlordane, they are entirely consistent with
previous observations that the toxicity of
other chlorinated hydrocarbons is much
enhanced in the presence of chronic liver
damage. The dangerous chronic dose in
humans is unknown.
small doses exhibit hyperexcitabiltty,
tremors, and convulsions, and those that
survive long enough show marked anorexia
and loss of weight. Symptoms in animals
frequently occur withm an hour of the
administration of a large dose, but death
often is delayed for several days depending
on the dosage and route of administration.
In any event, symptoms are of longer
duration with chlordane than with DDT
under similar condtions.
are essentially normal, except that the
insecticide is found in tissues by means of
bioassay. A method for specific, quantitative
chemical analysis for chlordane is now
available using small amounts of
subcutaneous fat. Chronically poisoned
animals show degenerative changes in the
liver and kidney tubules.
emits toxic fumes of Cl-.
Experimental animals exposed to repeated
Laboratory analyses on poisoned animals
When heated to decomposition chlordan
Potential Exposure
Chlordane is a broad spectrum insecticide of the group of polycyclic chlorinated hydrocarbons
called cyclodiene insecticides. Chlordane has been used
extensively since the 1950s for termite control; as an insecticide for homes and gardens; and as a control for soil
insects during the production of crops, such as corn. Both
the uses and the production volume of chlordane have
decreased extensively since the issuance of a registration
suspension notice for all food crops and home and garden
uses of chlordane by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency. However, significant commercial use of
chlordane for termite control continues. Special groups
at risk include children as a result of milk consumed;
fishermen and their families because of the high consumption of fish and shellfish, especially freshwater fish;
persons living downwind from treated fields; and persons
living in houses treated with chlordane pesticide control
agents.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Speed in removing material from skinis of extreme importance. Shampoo hair promptly if contaminated. Seek medical attention immediately. If thischemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, beginrescue breathing (using universal precautions, includingresuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Carcinogenicity
IARC has concluded that there is inadequate
evidence for carcinogenicity of chlordane to humans and sufficient evidence for its carcinogenicity
to animals.
Chlordane was not mutagenic to bacteria.
Environmental Fate
Biological. In four successive 7-day incubation periods, chlordane (5 and 10 mg/L)
was recalcitrant to degradation in a settled domestic wastewater inoculum (Tabak et al.,
1981).
Soil. The actinomycete, Nocardiopsis sp., isolated from soil extensively degraded pure
cis- and trans-chlordane to dichlorochlordene, oxy-chlordane, heptachlor, heptachlor endoepoxide, chlordene chlorohydrin and 3-hydroxy-trans-chlordane. Oxychlordane is slowly
degraded to 1-hydroxy-2-chlorochlordene (Beeman and Matsumura, 1981). The reported
half-life in soil is approximately one year (Hartley and Kidd, 1987).
The percentage of chlordane remaining in a Congaree sandy loam soil after 14 years
was 40% (Nash and Woolson, 1967).
Chlordane did not degrade in settled domestic wastewater after 28 days (Tabak et al.,
1981).
Plant. Alfalfa plants were sprayed with chlordane at a rate of 1 lb/acre. After 21 days,
95% of the residues had volatilized (Dorough et al., 1972).
Photolytic. Chlordane should not undergo direct photolysis since it does not absorb
UV light at wavelengths greater than 280 nm (Gore et al., 1971).
Chemical/Physical. In an alkaline medium or solvent, carrier, diluent or emulsifier
having an alkaline reaction, chlorine will be released (Windholz et al., 1983). Technical
grade chlordane passed over a 5% platinum catalyst at 200°C resulted in the formation of
tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (Musoke et al., 1982).
Chlordane (1 mM) in methyl alcohol (30 mL) underwent dechlorination in the presence
of nickel boride (generated by the reaction of nickel chloride and sodium borohydride).
The catalytic dechlorination of chlordane by this method yielded a pentachloro derivative
as the major product having the empirical formula C10H9Cl5 (Dennis and Cooper, 1976).
Chlordane is subject to hydrolysis via the nucleophilic substitution of chlorine by
hydroxyl ions to yield 2,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-1Hindene which is resistant to further hydrolysis (Kollig, 1993). The hydrolysis half-life at
pH 7 and 25°C was estimated to be >197,000 years (Ellington et al., 1988).
Emits very toxic fumes of chlorides when heated to decomposition (Lewis, 1990)
Metabolic pathway
Chlordane undergoes a variety of metabolic processes including oxidation,
reductive dechlorination, hydrolysis and epoxidation. These
reactions afford products involving alteration of the cyclopentane
ring; the norbornyl moiety generally remains unaffected except in photochemical
reactions when bridged compounds may be formed or
dechlorination may occur. Hydroxylation at position 3 is effected by
microsomal mixed function oxidases to form 3-hydroxychlordane
(12). Dehydration of this compound gives 1,2-dichlorochlordene (13),
a key metabolic intermediate in the formation of oxychlordane and
other metabolites. A second metabolic pathway involves dehydrochlorination
to form heptachlor (2). Dechlorination affords 1-chlorodihydrochlordene
(7). Hydrolysis gives 1-chloro-2-hydroxychlordene
chlorohydrin (6) which may be metabolised to monochlorodihydroxy
and trihydroxy derivatives of dihydrochlordene (Nomeir and Hajjar,
1987).
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working withChlordane you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Chlordane must be stored to avoid contact withstrong oxidizers (such as perchlorates, peroxides, permanganates, chlorates, and nitrates), since violent reactions occur.Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilatedarea away from heat. A regulated, marked area should beestablished where this chemical is handled, used, or storedin compliance with OSHA Standard 1910.1045.
Shipping
UN2996 Organochlorine pesticides, liquid, toxic,
Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Toxicity evaluation
Technical chlordane is a viscous, amber liquid (bp
175 ?C/267 Pa, vp 1.3 mPa at 25 ?C) soluble in water to
about 9 μg/L. It has rat LD
50s of 335, 430 (oral), and 840,
690 (dermal) mg/kg. Technical chlordane contains about
60% of the isomers and 10–20% of heptachlor.
Degradation
Acetone-sensitised photolysis of cis-chlordane (1) gave bridged derivatives
to which cage-like structures (19a or 19b) have been assigned. The
isomeric trans-chlordane (1) failed to yield bridged products because the
double bond in these compounds interacts with the endo-chlorine atom
(Fischler and Korte, 1969). However, it was later reported that with transchlordane
(l),bridging did occur forming 20 involving carbon-1 which
has a non-interfering exo-chlorine atom.
Unsensitised photolysis of trans-chlordane (1) in aqueous organic
solvents at wavelengths less than 300 nm gave two isomeric monodechlorinated
products (21a and 2) and ultimately the bis-dechlorination
product (Vollner et al. 1969; Ivie et al. 1972). When cis-chlordane (1) was
irradiated as a solid film, up to 70% was converted after 16-20 hours
irradiation into a mixture of products, more than half of which were
bridged isomers (depending on conditions, the dechlorinated compounds
may also form bridged compounds). These transformations are shown in
Scheme 1.
Chlordane is decomposed by alkalis with the loss of chlorine.
Incompatibilities
Contact with strong oxidizers may cause
fire and explosions. High heat and contact with alkaline
solutions cause decomposition with the production of toxic
fumes including chlorine, phosgene, hydrogen chloride.
Attacks iron, zinc, plastics, rubber, and coatings.
Waste Disposal
Chlordane is dehydrochlorinated in alkali to form “nontoxic” products, a reaction catalyzed by traces of iron, but the reaction is slow. The
environmental hazards of the products are uncertain.
Chlordane is completely dechlorinated by sodium in isopropyl alcohol. The UN Recommends incineration methods for
disposal of chlordane. 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.
