Chlordecone (Ref: ENT 16391)-Pesticide database

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Chlordecone (Ref: ENT 16391)

(Also known as: clordecone; decachloroketone; kepone)

Chlordecone is an effective insecticide for controlling sucking and chewing pests. It has a low aqueous solubility and is non-volatile. It may be environmentally persistent dependig upon local conditions. It has a moderate to high toxicity to most biodiversity. Chlordecone is also highly toxic to mammals via the oral route, is a carcinogen and an irritant.

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate High alert: Persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: High	Ecotoxicity High alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High; Endocrine distrupter

GENERAL INFORMATION

An insecticide that is effective against leaf-cutting insects but less effective on sucking pests. Also has fungicide activity particularly against scab and mildew. Also a metabolite.

Example pests controlled

Ants; Cockroaches; Root borers; Colarado beetle; Rust mite; Wireworms; Powdery mildew

Example applications

Tobacco; Potatoes; Ornamentals including gladioli; Fruit including bananas, citrus

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries; Banned in many countries

Introduction & key dates

1952, first reported; 1966 commercial production began, USA

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Date COPR inclusion expires

UK LERAP status

No UK approval for use

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Chemical structure

Chlordecone is a chiral molecule. It has mixed stereochemistry.

Chemical formula

C₁₀Cl₁₀O

Canonical SMILES

C1(=O)C2(C3(C4(C1(C5(C2(C3(C(C45Cl)(Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

LHHGDZSESBACKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10Cl10O/c11-2-1(21)3(12)6(15)4(2,13)8(17)5(2,14)7(3,16)9(6,18)10(8,19)20

2D structure diagram/image available?

Insecticide, Fungicide, Miticide, Metabolite

Metabolite Type

Substance groups

Organochloride insecticide; Cyclodiene insecticide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Central nervous system stimulant. GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist. Has stomach action and also weak contact activity

US EPA chemical code

CLP index number

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

(1E,3aE,5bE,6E)-1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachloro-1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5a,5b-octahydro-2H-1,3,4-(epimethanetriyl)cyclobuta[cd]pentalen-2-one

perchloropentacyclodecan-5-one

1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalen-2-one

Other status information

LRTAP Annex I; POP (recommended for Annex 1 of POPs Treaty); OSPAR soc; Air pollutant

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)

Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)

Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)

Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)

Examples of recorded resistance

None identified

Tan to white coloured solid depending upon purity

Can be a metabolite of:

Formation medium

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

1107/2009 relevancy

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Hopkins
Allied Chemicals

Example products using this active

GC 1189
Kepone
Merex
Curlone

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied formulated as bait or as a wettable powder

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Source; quality score; and other information

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Degradation point (°C)

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

3.16 X 10⁰⁴

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Fat solubility of residues

A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

B3 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Source; quality score; and other information

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

F2 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
2 = Unverified data of unknown source

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Environmentally stable. Literature states it remains in soil for up to 1-2 years (B4)

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source

Soil adsorption and mobility

Source; quality score; and other information

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Slightly mobile

Notes and range

Log10 K_oc 3.38-3.415

Notes and range

Source; quality score; and other information

GUS leaching potential index

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Potential for particle bound transport index

Potential for loss via drain flow

Slightly mobile

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

B4 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
4 = Verified data

Menidia menidia

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Source; quality score; and other information

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Coturnix japonica

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Eisenia foetida

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Source; quality score; and other information

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Daphnia magna

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Daphnia magna

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Americamysis bahia

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source

Chironomus dilutus 10d EC₅₀

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Chlorococcum spp.

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

Source; quality score; and other information

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Food residues were a problem prior to the substance being banned
May be absorbed via ingestion

A large number of cases of occupational poisoning have been reported

EU MRL pesticide database

GB MRL Register

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Specific human health issues

Endocrine disruptor

?Possibly, status not identified

A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data

B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data

C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
0 = No data

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

?Possibly, status not identified

XNo, known not to cause a problem

?Possibly, status not identified

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin sensitiser

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

General human health issues

Moderately toxic
Possible liver & kidney toxicant
May cause severe tremor
IARC Group 2B carcinogen
Endocrine issues - Binding to estrogen and androgen receptors

Handling issues

Value and interpretation

Not expected to autoignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H311, H351
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Not classified: Obsolete

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

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