TOXAPHENE
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FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonyms:
•	Chlorinated Camphene; Camphechlor;
Polychlorocamphene
•	Trade Names: Camphoclor; Phenotox;
Camphofene Huileux; Chlor Chem T-590;
Strobane T; Cristoxo; Phenacide; Toxakil, etc.
Chemical Description:
•	Complex mixture of at least 177
polychlorinated C10 compounds
Properties:
•	Waxy, amber-colored solid with a mild
turpentine-like odor
•	Slightly water soluble
•	Low vapor pressure
•	will be removed from surface water Oy
adsorbtion to suspended particles and
deposition in sediment
•	will volatilize from surface waters and on soil
•	high potential for bioaccumulation,
especially in fish and other aquatic
organisms
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
• Case studies of toxaphene poisoning indicate
that it causes diffuse stimulation of the central
nervous system (CNS) resulting in salivation,
restlessness, hyperexcitability, muscle tremors or
spasms, convulsions, and sometimes loss of
consciousness and death (due to respiratory
failure)
Production and Use:
•	Prior to 1982, when the EPA cancelled most
uses of toxaphene, it was a widely used
pesticide and herbicide on many fooa and
non-food crops, and was also usea to
eradicate undesirable fish species
•	Currently used as an insecticide on cattle and
sheep, ana in certain crops in the Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Occurrence:
•	Not expected to be a common contaminant
of drinking water supplies, but has been found
at low levels in surface waters (and sediment),
and air in areas where toxaphene was applied
Releases:
•	May enter the environment from industrial
aischarges. agricultural runoff, atmospheric
deposition, and accidental spills
Environmental Fate:
•	Extremely persistent in ttie environment:
•	relatively stable under environmental
conditions
•	will adsorb to soils (low mobility) and have a
low potential for migration to ground water
•	will bioaegrade slowly in certain soils
•	may photodegraae in strong sunlight
Experimental Animals:
•	Exposure may occur via ingestion, inhalation,
or dermal contact
•	Short-term, high-aose studies indicate that CNS
depression and stimulation, with symptoms
similar to those in humans, is the primary effect
•	Long-term, high-aose studies revealed that
liver and kidney degeneration, as well as CNS
aeprivation and stimulation, were chronic
effects; may have immunosuppressive effects
•	No fetotoxic or teratogenic effects reported
•	Equivocal evidence of mutagenic potential
•	High carcinogenic potential
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):
•Hazaraous substance
•SARA: Toxic chemical
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodentlclde Act (FIFRA):
Registered
•Toxic Subitances Control Act (TSCA):
Not regulated

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HEALTH INFORMATION
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Maximum Contaminant Level Goalt (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 to protect against cancer
MCLG for Toxaphene = Zero mg/L
(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 MCI 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
•	Current MCL = 0.005 mg/L
MCL for Toxaphene = 0.003 mg/L
(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: Derived in the same way as an
MCLG
Health Advisories:
Short-term HA for a child s 0.04 mg/L
Longer-term HA for a child =
Insufficient data to calculate
Longer-term HA for an adult =
Insufficient data to calculate
Lifetime HA = Not recommended
•	Microextraction and Gas 'Chromatography
EPA Method 505
•	Gas Chromatography with an Electron
Capture Detector
EPA Method 508 v
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WATER TREATMENT
Permanent Treatment:
•	Best Available Technology (BAT):
• Granular Activated Carbon
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
•	If the drinking water standards are exceeaed,
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 numPers for further
information on drinking water auality,
treatment technologies, for obtaining Health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
•	EPA Hotlines are available Monday through
Friday
•Safe Drinking Water	800-426-4791
•National Pesticides:	800-856-7378
•Superfund/RCRA:	800-424-9346
•	For information on the Clean Water Act, call
(202) 260-7301
•	For information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act, call (202) 554-1404
•	For information on the Clean Air Act, call
(919) 541-2777

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