540/FW7- W
United States	Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substance*
Environmental Protection	Office of Paetieida Programs (TS-766C)
Agency	Washington, DC 20460
v>EPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: heptachlor
Reason for Issuance: registration standard
Date Issued: December, 1986
Fact Sheet Number: 107
... 1. DESCRIPTION. OF CHEMTCAL
Generic Name: 1,4,5,6,7 ,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetra-
(Cheraical)	hydro-4,7—methano-lH indene
Coraraon Name: Heptachlor
Trade and 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetra-
Other	hydro-4,7-methanoindene; E-3314; Velsicol 104;
Names	Heptagran; Heptalube; heptachlore; Drinox H-34;
Gold Crest H-60; Heptamul; and Heptox
EPA Shaughnessy Code: 044801
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 76-44-8
Year of Initial Registration: 1952
Pesticide Type: Insecticide
Chemical Family: Chlorinated cyclodiene
U.S. and Foreign Producers: Velsicol Chemical Corporation
2. USE PATTERNS AND FORMULATIONS,
Application Sites: soil surrounding wooden structures for
termite control; control of fire ants
in buried cable closures; above ground
structural application for control of
termites and other wood-destroying
i nsects.
Types of Formulations: emulsifiable concentrates; granular

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Types and Methods
of Application: trenching, rodding, subslab injection, and
low pressure spray for subsurface termite
control; caulking gun, trowel or brush
for applying to structural wood
Application Rates: 0.06 to 1.0% emulsion for termite control;
0.2 Oz/buried cable closure size 1 sq.ft.
3* SCIENCE FINDINGS
-Summary Science S-tatement
Heptachlor is a chlorinated -cyclodiene with moderate acute
toxicity. The chemical has demonstrated adverse chronic
effects in mice (causing liver -tumors). Heptachlor may pose a
significant health risk of chronic liver effects to occupants
of structures treated with heptachlor for termite control.
This risk may be determined to be of regulatory concern,
pending further evaluation. Heptachlor is extremely toxic
to aquatic organisms and birds. Heptachlor is persistent
and bioaccujnulates. Heptachlor 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 heptachlor. An inhalation study of one year
duration using r5TT3 is required to assess potential hazards
to humans in treated residences from this route of exposure.
6he Agency has been apprised of reported cases of optic
neuritis associated with termiticide treatment of homes with
a related cyclodiene, chlordane. To determine whether this
is a significant health effect, and whether heptachlor
plays a role, the registrant must have eye tissue from the
required two-year rat oncogenicity study analyzed by
neuropathologists specializing in optic tissue pathology.
Data available to the Agency show an occurrence of misuse and
misapplication of heptachlor. The Agency is requiring
restricted use classification of all end-use products containing
heptachlor. 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 approve
training course for termiticide application meeting minimal
EPA training requirements and be registered in the State in
which the uncertified applicator is working.

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Chemical/Physical Characteristics ot the Technical Material
Physical State: Crystalline solid
Color: White
Odor: Mild camphor-like odor
Molecular weight and formula: 373.3 - C10H5CI7
Melting Point: 95 to 96°C
Boiling point: 135-145°C at 1-1.5 mmHg
Density: 1.65-1.67 g/ml at 65°C
Vapor Pressure: 0.0003 mmHg at 25°C
Solubility in various solvents: Soluble in ethanol, xylene,
carbon tetrachloride, acetone
and benzene; practically
insoluble in water
Stability: Stable in daylight, air, moisture, and tnoderate
heat
Toxicology Characteristics
Acute Oral: Data gap (except for a 74% technical formulation
which showed the oral LD50 value for male and
female rats to be 208 mg/kg and 158 mg/kg,
respectively. This places the 74% technical
into Toxicity Category II).
Acute Dermal: Data gap
Primary Dermal Irritation: Data gap
Primary Eye Irritation: Data gap
Skin Sensitization: not a sensitizer.
Acute Inhalation: Data gap
Subacute inhalation (2-week product-specific test) using rats
or guinea pigs: Data gap
Chronic Inhalation (1-year) 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
ef fects.
Oncogenicity: This chemical is classified as a Group B2
oncogen (probable human oncogen).

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There are three long-term carcinogenesis
bioassays of heptachlor in mice which were
independently conducted by investigators
affiliated with the National Cancer Institute,
the International Research and Development
Corporation, and the Food and Drug Administra-
tion. Reported in these studies were significant
tumor responses in three different strains of
mice (C3H, CF ^, and B6C3F^) in males and females
with a dose related increase in the proportion of
tumors that were malignant. Available data
from five existing carcinogenicity bioassays
in rats are dnadequate^and inconclusive and a
well-designed study in rats for heptachlor
epoxide is needed to determine the carcinogenic
potential of heptachlor in this species.
Chronic Feeding: Based on a dog chronic feeding study with
heptachlor epoxide, a Lowest Effect Level
(LEL) of 0.0125 mg/kg/day for liver effects
has been calculated.
Data gaps exist for rodents and non-rodent<=
for heptachlor epoxide; and for heptachlc
in non-rodents.
Metabolism: In biological systems, heptachlor is readily
epoxidized to heptachlor epoxide.
Teratogenicity: Data gap
Reproduction: A NOEL of 1.0 ppm has been set for repro-
ductive effects to the young; the liver is
the target organ of effect.
Mutagenicity: Sufficient evidence exists to conclude that
neither heptachlor nor heptachlor epoxide
possess mutagenic activity in bacteria.
Further testing is required to fulfill
mutagenicity testing requirements 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
hyperexcitabilty, convulsions, depression and death.

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Environmental Characteristics
Data gaps exist for all applicable studies. However,
available supplementary data indicate general trends of
heptachlor behavior in the environment. Heptachlor is
persistent and bioaccumulates. Heptachlor 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 heptachlor.
.Ecological Characteristics (technical grade)
Avian oral toxicity: Data Gap
Avian dietary toxicity: 92-, 224 and 480 ppm in Bobwhite
(8 day)	quail, pheasant and mallard duck,
respectively.
Freshwater fish acute toxicity: 13 ug/L for bluegill;
(96 hr. LC50)	7.4 ug/L for rainbow trout.
Freshwater invertebrate toxicity: 42 ug/L for Daphnia pulex;
(48 hr. or 96 hr. EC50)	1.1 ug/L for Pteronarcys.
4. Required Unique Labeling and Regulatory Position Summary
0 EPA is currently evaluating the potential human
health risks of 1) non-oncogenic chronic liver effects,
and 2) oncogenic effects to determine whether additional
action on heptachlor may be warranted.
0 In order to meet the statutory standard for
continued registration, retail sale and use of all end-use
products containing heptachlor must be restricted to Certified
Applicators or persons under their direct supervision. For
purposes of heptachlor use, direct supervision by a Certified
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 be available if and when

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needed.
°	In order to meet the statutory standard for
continued registration, heptachlor product labels must be
revised to provide specific disposal procedures, and to
provide fish and wildlife toxicity warnings.
° 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 heptachlor as a
termiticide.
° A new two-year rat oncogenicity study is needed to
determine the carcinogenic potential of heptachlor epoxide.
° Special product-specific subacute inhalation testing
is required to evaluate .the respiratory hazards to humans in
-structures treated with termiticide products containing
heptachlor.
0 Evaluation of eye tissue from the required
two-year rat oncogenicity study is required to determine
whether heptachlor's termiticide use may be causing optic
neuritis in humans.
° The Agency is requiring the submission of applicator
exposure data from dermal and respiratory routes of exposure.
° While data gaps are being filled, currently registerd
manufacturing use products and end use products containg heptachlor
may be sold, distributed, formulated, and used, subject to the
terms and conditions specified in the Registration Standard for
heptachlor, 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 heptachlor is necessary, since
there are no longer any food or feed uses. EPA is proceeding
to revoke existing heptachlor tolerances and replace them with
action levels. A final rule is scheduled for publication in
the Federal Register in early 1987.
6. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS
° Hydrolysis
° Photodegradation in Water

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° Aerobic Soil Metabolism
° Anaerobic Soil Metabolism
0	Leaching and Adsorption/Desorption
°	Aerobic Aquatic Metabolism
°	Soil Dissipation
°	Chronic Toxicity Studies- Rodents and Non-rodents
°	Teratogenicity
°	Rat Oncogenicity Study
*	Mutagenicity Studies
°	Acute Toxicity Studies
°	Optic Tissue Pathology
°	Special Surface Water Monitoring Studies
°	Applicator Exposure Studies
° Indoor Air Exposure Studies
%
° Special Product-Specific Subchronic Inhalation Study
(Two-week duration using rats or guinea pigs)
° Subchronic Inhalation Study (One-year duration using rats)
° Avian Acute Oral Toxicity
0 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

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