HEPTACHLOR
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FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonym*:
•	3-Chlorochlordene; 1,4,5.6.7,8,8a-Heptachloro-
3a,4,7,7a-Tetrahydro-4,7-Methanoindene
•	Trade names: Drinox H-34; E-3314; Hepfagran;
Heptamul; Heptox; Gold Crest H-60; Velsicol-
104; also a component of Termide
Chemical Description:
•	Insecticide belonging to the group of
chlorinated hydrocarbons known as
cyclodiene insecticides, heptachlor epoxide is
the principle metabolite of heptachlor
degraaation
Properties:
•	White crystalline solid with a camphor-like odor
or tan, soft, waxy soild
•	Insoluble in water
•	Low vapor pressure
•	Heavier than water
Production and Use:
•	Insecticide used for termite control and on a
very limited number of crops
•	Has limited use as a single active ingredient
and is usually applied in combination with
chlordane
•	Prior to its suspension and cancellation of all
agricultural and home uses by the EPA in 1978,
it was widely used as an insecticide to control
various worms, termites, ants, and other pests
in several food crops and home/garden areas
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Occurrence:
•	Heptachlor and its epoxide have not been
detected above the MCL in any regional and
national surveys of drinking water supplies
Releaier
•	Because heptachlor is applied by subsurface-
injection, the potential for migration and
contamination of ground water is high
•	May enter ground water from direct entry into
a well through accidental chemical spills or
improper storage near a well
Environmental Fate:
•	Heptachlor is moderately persistent in the
environment;
•	will volatilize fairly rapidly from soil surfaces
and surface waters, but will resist volatiliza-
tion when incorporated into the soil
•	low mobility in soil (adsorbs strongly to soil)
and is resistant to leaching from soils
•	low potential for migration to ground water
•	will be removed from surface waters by
adsorbtion to suspended and bottom
sediment
•	will be degraded to heptachlor epoxide in
soil, plants, and mammals
•	subject to photo- and biodegradation
•	Heptachlor epoxide (more toxic than
heptachlor) is highly persistent in the
environment:
•	will volatilize slowly from soils and surface
waters to the atmosphere, where it is subiect
to wash-out by rain
•	low mobility (adsorbs strongly to soil) and is
moderately resistant to leaching from soils
•	extremely resistant to biodegradation
•	subject to photodegradation
•	Both heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide have
a high potential for bioaccumulation,
especially in fish and other aquatic organisms
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
•	Occupational exposure (ingestion, inhalation,
or dermal contact) to heptachlor has caused
blood dyscrasias (blood system malfunctions,
such as anemia and leukemias)
•	Absorbed through skin to produce toxic effects
•	spray operators, farmers, and heptachlor
formulators may be exposed
Experimental Animals:
•	Acute intoxication causes severe liver damage
and a wide range of central nervous system
(CNS) effects including tremors, convulsions,
paralysis, and hypothermia
•	Long-term, high dose studies indicate that
chronic exposure primarily causes extensive
liver damage and death
•	Equivocal evidence of mutagenic potential
•	High carcinogenic potential

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REGULATORY PROFILE
Existing Standards:
•Clean Air Act (CAA): Not regulated
•Clean Water Act (CWA):
Criteria established
•Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA):
Hazardous waste
•Superfund (CERCLA):
•Hazardous substance
•SARA: Toxic chemical
•Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA):
Registered
•Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):
Not regulated
HEALTH INFORMATION
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG):
•	Non-enforceable levels based solely on an
evaluation of possible health risks and
exposure, and taking into consideration a
margin for public safety
•	Set at zero mg/L in both heptachlor and its
metabolite to protect against cancer
MCLG for Heptachlor = Zero mg/L
MCLG for Heptachlor epoxide = Zero mg/L
(ail values effective July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):
•	Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
public drinking water supplies
•	Based on health risks associated with the
contaminants, analytical methods for their
assay, and water treatment feasibility and
practicality aspects
•	Exceedance of the MCL in drinking water may
result in adverse effects which will depend
upon the contaminant concentration in water,
amount of water/contaminant ingested,
length of exposure, and other biological
parameters
MCL for Heptachlor = 0.0004 mg/L
MCL for Heptachlor epoxide = 0.0002 mg/L
(all values effective July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories (HA):
•	Short-term- HAs: Provide acceptable
concentrations of contaminants in water for
up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate
the public health risk resulting from an
accidental spill or an emergency
contamination situation
•	Longer-term HAs: Provide guidance for
persistent water contamination situations to
cover a period of up to 7 years
•	Lifetime HAs: Derivea n me same «cv as zr
MCLG
Health Advisories:
Short-term HA for a child = 0.01 mg L
Longer-term HA for a child = 0.001 mg/L
Longer-term HA for an adult = 0.001 mg/L
Lifetime HA = Not recommended
ANALYTICAL METHODS
•	Microextraction and Gas Chromatography
EPA Method 505
•	Gas Chromatography with an Electron
Capture Detector
EPA Method 508
•	Lipuid-Solid Extraction and Capillary Column
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
EPA Method 525
WATER TREATMENT
Permanent Treatment:
•	Best Available Technology (BAT):
• Granular Activated Carbon
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
•	If the drinking water standards are exceeded,
install BAT or use an alternative drinking water
supply such as bottled water
ADDITIONAL HELP
•	State or county health officials can indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
•	Experts in the state Department of
Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, or
Agriculture may also be of help
•	The EPA has toll-free numbers for further
information on drinking water auaiity.
treatment technologies, for obtaining Health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
•	EPA Hotlines are available Monday througn
Friday
•Safe Drinking Water	800-426-4791
•National Pesticides:	800-858-7378
•Superfund/RCRA:	800-424-9346
•	For information on the Clean Water Act can
(202) 260-7301
•	For information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act, call (202) 554-1404
•	For information on the Clean Air Act, ca'!
(919) 541-2777

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