PERTHANE (TM)

1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(4- ethylphenyl)ethane (mp 60–61 ?C) is a rapidly biodegradable insecticide with very low mammalian toxicity, rat oral LD₅₀ 8170 mg/kg. It has been used as a household insecticide.

Crystalline solid; mp 56°C (132.8°F); insoluble in water; soluble in acetone, kerosene,and diesel fuel.

Crystals when pure. Technical grade a light yellow waxy solid.

Insoluble in water.

PERTHANE (TM) is sensitive to heat. PERTHANE (TM) is incompatible with alkalis. PERTHANE (TM) is readily dehydrochlorinated. PERTHANE (TM) is slightly corrosive to iron, zinc, and aluminum.

Mildly toxic by ingestion; the oral medianlethal doses in all experimental animalswere >5000 mg/kg; however, producedmoderate to severe effects when administeredintravenously; toxic properties are somewhatsimilar to those of DDT; susceptible tostorage in fat; also bioaccumulative; ateratogenic substance; sufficient evidenceof carcinogenicity in mice, but inadequateevidence in other animals; cancer-causingeffects in human unknown.
LD50 oral (rat): 6600 mg/kg
LD50 oral (wild bird): 9000 mg/kg
LD50 intravenous (rat): 73 mg/kg.

Flash point data for PERTHANE (TM) are not available. PERTHANE (TM) is probably combustible.

Poison by intravenous route. Mdly toxic by ingestion. Questionable carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A pesticide. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl-. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC.