United States Office of Pesticide* end Toxic Substances
Environmental Protection Office of Pestiade Programs (TS-766C)
Agency Washington. DC 20460
xvEPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: CHLORDANE
Reason for Issuance: REGISTRATION STANDARD
Date Issued: DECEMBER, 1935
Fact Sheet Number: 109
1. DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL
Generic Name: 1, 2 ,4,5,6,7,8 ,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-
(Chemical) hexahydro-4,7-metHanoindene
Common Name: Chlordane
Trade and 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-
Other 4,7-methanoindan; Velsicol 1068; Velsicol 168;
Names M-410; Belt; Chlor-Kil; Chlortox; Corodane; Gold
Crest C-100; Kilex; Gold Crest C-50; Kilex;
Kypchlor; Niran; Octachlor; Synchlor; Termi-Ded;
Topiclor 20; Chlordan; Prentox; and Penticklor
EPA Shaughnessy Code: 058201
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 57-47-9
Year of Initial Registration: 1948
Pesticide Type: Insecticide
Chemical Family: Chlorinated cyclodiene
U.S. and Foreign Producers: Velsicol Chemical Corporation
2. USE PATTERNS AND FORMULATIONS
Application Sites: subsurface soil treatment for termite
control; underground cables for termite
control; above ground structural
application for control of termites and
other wood-destroying insects
Types of Formulations: emulsifiable concentrates; granular;
soluble concentrates
-------
2
Types and Methods of Application: trenching, rodding, subsiab
injection, low pressure
spray for subsurface
termite control; brush,
spray, or dip for applying
to structural wood
Application Rates: 0.5 to 2.0% emulsion for termite control;
3.0 to 4.25% solution for above ground
structural wood treatment
3. SCIENCE FINDINGS
Summary Science Statement
Chlordane is a chlorinated cyclodiene with moderate acute
toxicity. The chemical has demonstrated adverse chronic
effects in mice (causing liver tumors). Chlordane may pose
a significant health risk of chronic liver effects to
occupants of structures treated with chlordane for
termite control. This risk may be determined to be of
regulatory concern, pending further evaluation. Chlordane
is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and birds. Chiordarte
is persistent and bioaccumulates. Chiordane may have a
potential for contaminating surface water; thus, a
special study is required to delineate this potential.
Applicator exposure studies are required to determine
whether exposure to applicators may be posing health
risks. Special product—specific subacute inhalation
testing is required to evaluate the short—term respiratory
hazards to humans in structures treated with chlordane.
An inhalation study of one—year duration using rats is
required to assess potential hazards to humans in treated
residences from this route of exposure. The Agency has
been apprised of reported cases of optic neuritis
associated with termiticide treatment of homes. To
determine whether this is a significant health effect,
the registrant must have eye tissue from the latest
two—year rat oncogenicity study analyzed by neuro—
pathologists specializing in optic tissue pathology.
Data available to the Agency show an occurrence of misuse
and misapplication of chlordane. The Agency is requiring
restricted use classification of all end—use products
containing chlordane. Application must be made either
in the actual physical presence of a Certified Applicator,
or if the Certified Applicator is not physically present
at the site, each uncertified applicator must have
completed a State approved training course in termiticide
application meeting minimal EPA training requirements
-------
3
and be registered in the State in which the uncertified
applicator is working.
Chemical Characteristics of the Technical Material
Physical State: Crystalline solid
Color: White
Odor: Chlorine odor
Molecular weight and formula: 409.8 — C1OH6C18
Melting Point: 95 to 96°C
Boiling point: 118°C at 0.66 rnmHg (technical)
Density: 1.59 — 1.63 at 25°C
Vapor Pressure: 0.00001 mmHg at 25°C (technical)
Solubility in various solvents: Miscible with aliphatic and
and aromatic hydrocarbon
solvents, including
deodorized kerosene;
insoluble in water
Stability: Loses its chlorine in presence of alkaline
reagents and should not be formulated with
any solvent, carrier, diluent or emulsifier
which has an alkaline reaction (technical)
Toxicology Characteristics
Acute Oral: Data gap
Acute Derrnal: Data gap
Primary Dermal Irritation: Data gap
Primary Eye Irritation: Data gap (except for a 72% technical
formulation)
Skin Sensitization: Not a sensitizer.
Acute Inhalation: Data gap
Subchronic Inhalation (2—week duration) using rats or guinea
pigs: Data gap
Subchronic Inhalation (1—year duration) using rats: Data gap
Major routes of exposure: Inhalation exposure to occupants of
treated structures; dermal and
respiratory exposure to termiticide
applicators.
Delayed neurotoxicity: does not cause delayed neurotoxic
-------
4
effects.
Oncogenicity: This chemical is classified as a Group B 2
oncogen (probable human oncogen).
There are three long—term carcinogenesis
bioassays of chiordane in mice which were
independently conducted by investigators
affiliated with the National Cancer Institute,
the International Research and Development
Corporation, and the Research Institute for
Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology,
Japan. Reported in these studies were signifi-
cant tumor responses in three different strains
of mice (IRC, CF 1 , and B6C3F ) in males and
females with a dose—related increase in the
proportion of tumors that were malignant. In
Fischer 344 rats, significant tumor responses
were reported in a study conducted by the
Research Institute for Animal Science in
Biochemistry and Toxicology.
Chronic Feeding: Based on a rat chronic feeding study with
chiordane, a Lowest Effect Level (LEL) of
0.05 mg/kg/day for liver effects
has been calculated.
Metabolism: Chlordane’s major metabolite is oxychiordane.
Oxychlordane has been found to be a major fat
tissue residue in rats. Human fat samples
frequently contain trans—nonachior, a
contaminant found in technical chlordane, as
a major residue.
Teratogenicity: Data gap
Reproduction: Data gap
Mutagenicity: Data gap. Further testing is required in all
three categories (gene mutation, structural
chromosome aberrations and other genotoxic
effects.
Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics
The precise mode of action in biological systems is not
known. In humans, signs of acute intoxication are primar-
ily related to the central nervous system (CNS), including
-------
5
hyperexcitabilty, convulsions, depression and death.
Environmental Characteristics
Available data are insufficient to fully assess the environ-
mental fate of chiordane. Data gaps exist for all applicable
studies. However, available supplementary data indicate
general trends of chiordane behavior in the environment.
Chlordane is persistant and bioaccumulates. Chlordane is not
expected to leach, since it is insoluble in water and
should adsorb to the soil surface; thus it should not reach
underground aquifers. However, additional data are necessary
to fully assess the potential for ground—water contamination
as a result of the termiticide use of chlordane.
Ecological Characteristics
Avian acute toxicity: LD 50 of 83.0 mg/kg in bobwhite quail
Avian dietary toxicity: 858 ppm in mallard duck; 331 ppm in
(8 day) bobwhite quail; and 430 ppm in pheasant.
Freshwater fish acute toxicity: 57 to 74.8 ug/L for bluegill;
(96 Hr. LC5O) 42 to 90 ug/L for rainbow trout.
Freshwater invertebrate toxicity: 15 to 590 ug/L for Pteronarcys
(48 hr. and 96 hr. EC 50 ) and Daphnia , respectively.
4. Required Unique Labeling and Regulatory Position Summary
EPA is currently evaluating the potential human
health risks of 1) non—oncogenic chronic liver effects, and 2)
oncogenic effects to determine whether additional regulatory
action on chiordane may be warranted.
In order to meet the statutory standard for continued
registration, retail sale and use of all end—use products
containing chlordane must be restricted to Certified Applicators
or persons under their direct supervision. For purposes of
chiordane use, direct supervision by a Certitied Applicator means
1) the actual physical presence of a Certified Applicator at the
application site during application, or 2) if the Certified
Applicator is not physically present at the site, each
uncertified applicator must have completed a State approved
training course in termiticide application meeting minimal EPA
training requirements and be registered in the State in which the
uncertified applicator is working; the Certified Applicator must
-------
6
be available if and when needed.
O In order to meet the statutory standard for continued
registration, chiordane product labels must be revised to provide
specific chiordane disposal procedures, and to provide fish and
wildlife toxicity warnings.
O The Agency is requiring a special monitoring study
to evaluate whether and to what extent surface water contam-
ination may be resulting from the use of chlordane as a
term i t i c ide.
O Special product—specific subacute inhalation testing
is required to evaluate the respiratory hazards to humans in
structures treated with termiticide products containing
chiordane.
O Evaluation of eye tissue from the latest
two—year rat oncogenicity study is required to determine
whether chlordane’s termiticide use may be causing optic
neuritis in humans.
O The Agency is requiring the submission of applicator
exposure data from dermal and respiratory routes of exposure.
o While data gaps are being filled, currently registerd
manufacturing use products and end use products containg chiordane
may be sold, distributed, formulated, and used, subject to the
terms and conditions specified in the Registration Standard
for chlordane, and any additional regulatory action taken by
the Agency. Registrants must provide or agree to develop
additional data in order to maintain existing registrations.
5. TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT
No tolerance reassessment for chlordane is necessary, since
there are no food or feed uses. The Agency is proceeding
to revoke all tolerances and replace them with action levels.
The final rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal
Register in early 1987.
6. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS
o Hydrolysis
o Photodegradatiori in Water
O Aerobic Soil Metabolism
O Anaerobic Soil Metabolism
-------
7
O Leaching and Adsorption/Desorption
o Aerobic Aquatic Metabolism
o Soil Dissipation
o Chronic Toxicity Studies— Rodents and Non—rodents
o Teratogenicity
o Mutagenicity Studies
o Acute Toxicity Studies
o Optic Tissue Pathology
O Special Surface Water Monitoring Studies
O Applicator Exposure Studies
o Indoor Air Exposure Studies
o Special Product—Specific Subchronic Inhalation Study
(two—week duration using guinea pigs or rats)
o Subchronic Inhalation Study (One—year duration using rats)
o All Product Chemistry Studies
7. CONTACT PERSON AT EPA
George LaRocca
Product Manager (15)
Insecticide—Rodenticide Branch
Registration Division (TS—767C)
Office of Pesticide Programs
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
Office location and telephone number:
Room 204, Crystal Mall #2
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 557—2386
DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this Chemical Information
Fact Sheet is for informational purposes only and may not be used
to fulfill data requirements for pesticide registration and
reregistration.
------- |