Heptachlor

Heptachlor is a organochlorine compound that was used as an insecticide. Due to its toxicity and persistence, Heptachlor is now banned globally under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

History

Heptachlor was first registered in the United States in 1952. It was used extensively in the 1960s and 1970s for agricultural and home lawn care purposes. However, due to concerns about its persistence in the environment and potential human health effects, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to phase out certain uses of heptachlor in 1974. By 1988, all registered uses of heptachlor in the United States were cancelled.

Uses

Heptachlor was used for insect control in homes, buildings, and on food crops. It was also used to control insect pests in forests and on animals. Some specific uses included control of termites in homes, mosquito control in drainage ditches and marshes, and control of fire ants.

Health Effects

Exposure to heptachlor can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Acute (short-term) exposure to heptachlor can cause liver damage and negatively affect the nervous system. Chronic (long-term) exposure can lead to effects on the liver, decrease body weight, and may cause cancer.

Environmental Effects

Heptachlor is highly persistent in the environment, with a half-life of up to 2 years. It can bioaccumulate in fish and birds, leading to higher concentrations in these organisms than in the surrounding environment. Heptachlor can also be transported long distances in the atmosphere.

See Also

• Organochlorine compound
• Insecticide
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Termite
• Mosquito
• Fire ant

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