Description
Kepone or chlordecone, decachloro-
5-oxo-pentacyclo-[5.3.0.02,6,03,9,04,8]-decane, is the 2-keto analog of mirex and is soluble
in water to 4 g/L by hydration. The rat LD
50s are 95,
140 (oral) and > 2000 (dermal) mg/kg. Chlordecone is a
stomach poison used in baits for the control of cockroaches
and ants and for the control of banana thrips. Because of bioaccumulation, its registrations were canceled in the United States in 1978.
Chemical Properties
Crystalline soliSoluble in acetic acid, alcohols, ketones,
acetone; slightly soluble in water.
Uses
Insecticide, fungicide.
Hazard
A carcinogen. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Manufacture and use have
been prohibited.
Health Hazard
Highly toxic by oral, dermal, and possiblyother routes of exposure; toxic propertiessimilar to those of Mirex; however, more toxicthan the latter; symptoms include tremors,ataxia, hyperactivity, muscle spasms, and skinchanges; highly injurious to liver, kidney,and central nervous system; a teratogenicsubstance; caused testicular atrophy, sterility,low sperm count, and breast enlargementin experimental animals; sufficient evidenceof carcinogenicity in experimental animal;also, possibly carcinogenic to humans. (IARC1987).
LD50 oral (rat): 95 mg/kg
LD50 oral (rabbit): 65 mg/kg
LD50 skin (rabbit): 345 mg/kg.
