| heptachlor (Ref: ENT 15152) |
 |
Environmental Fate - Ecotoxicology - Human Health - A to Z Index - Home
SUMMARY
Heptachlor in an insecticide that is not approved for use in the EU. It has a low aqueous solubility but is highly soluble in most organic solvents. It is volatile and has low potential for leaching to groundwater. heptachlor can be persistent in soil systems but is not generally persistent in water systems. It is moderately toxic to mammals and may bioaccumulate. heptachlor may also cause adverse reproduction/development effects and is a neurotoxin. It is moderately toxic to birds but highly toxic to honeybees and most aquatic species. GENERAL INFORMATION 
for heptachlor
Description: An obsolete insecticide once used to kill termites, ants and other insects in agricultural and domestic situations
Example pests controlled: Ants; Termites; Cutworms; Maggots; Spittlebugs; Weevils; Wireworms; Japanese beetles; Mosquitoes
Example applications: Corn; Sorghum; Small grains
Efficacy & activity: -
Availability status: Obsolete, Banned
Introduction & key dates: 1951, first reported
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414):
| Status | Not approved |
| Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur | - |
| Date inclusion expires | Expired |
| EU Candidate for substitution (CfS) | - |
| Listed in EU database | Yes |
Approved for use (
) or known to be used (
) in the following European countries: 
AT |
BE |
BG |
CY |
CZ |
DE |
DK |
EE |
EL |
ES |
FI |
FR |
HR |
HU |
IE |
IT |
LT |
LU |
LV |
MT |
NL |
PL |
PT |
RO |
SE |
SI |
SK |
UK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also used in: Costa Rica
Chemical structure:
| Isomerism | A molecule with 5 chiral centres |
| Chemical formula | C10H5Cl7 |
| Canonical SMILES | C1=CC(C2C1C3(C(=C(C2(C3(Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl |
| Isomeric SMILES | No data |
| International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey) | FRCCEHPWNOQAEU-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| International Chemical Identifier (InChI) | InChI=1S/C10H5Cl7/c11-4-2-1-3-5(4)9(15)7(13)6(12)8(3,14)10(9,16)17/h1-5H |
| 2D structure diagram/image available? | Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams:
| Common Name | Relationship | Link |
| Heptachlor epoxide | Metabolite |  |
General status:
| Pesticide type | Insecticide | |||
| Substance group | Organochlorine | |||
| Minimum active substance purity | - | |||
| Known relevant impurities | - | |||
| Substance origin | Synthetic | |||
| Mode of action | Persistent, non-systemic contact and stomach poison with some fumigant action. Is a chloride channel-blocking agent. | |||
| CAS RN | 76-44-8 | |||
| EC number | 200-962-3 | |||
| CIPAC number | 36 | |||
| US EPA chemical code | 044801 | |||
| PubChem CID | 3589 | |||
| Molecular mass (g mol-1) | 373.32 | |||
| PIN (Preferred Identification Name) | - | |||
| IUPAC name | 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene | |||
| CAS name | 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indene | |||
| Other status information | Chemical subject to PIC regulations; POP - regulated by Stockholm Convention; LRTAP Annex 1; OSPAR soc; Severe Marine Pollutant; Rotterdam Convention (Class O) | |||
| Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards | - | |||
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC) | Not applicable | |||
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA) | Not applicable | |||
| Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC) | 2A | |||
| Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC) | Not applicable | |||
| Examples of recorded resistance | Anthonomus grandis Delia brassicae Diabrotica longicornis Psilia rosae Conoderus falli Diabrotica virgifera many others |
|||
| Physical state | White to tan coloured crystals | |||
| Related substances & organisms | - | |||
Formulations:
| Property |
Value | |||
| Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically |
|
|||
| Example products using this active |
|
|||
| UK LERAP status | No UK approval for use as a pesticide under EC Regulation 1107/2009 | |||
| Formulation and application details | Available in a wide variety of formulations including wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, dusts and oil solutions. | |||
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
for heptachlor
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Solubility - In water at 20oC (mg l-1) | 0.056 | G4 | Low | |
| Solubility - In organic solvents at 20oC (mg l-1) | 750000 | L3 - Acetone | - | |
| 1060000 | L3 - Benzene | - | ||
| 1020000 | L3 - Xylene | - | ||
| 45000 | L3 - Ethanol | - | ||
| Melting point (oC) | 95 | V3 | - | |
| Boiling point (oC) | 135 | L3 | - | |
| Degradation point (oC) | - | - | - | |
| Flashpoint (oC) | - | - | - | |
| Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20oC | P | 2.75 X 1005 | Calculated | - |
| Log P | 5.44 | G4 | High | |
| Bulk density (g ml-1)/Specific gravity | 1.58 | L3 | - | |
| Dissociation constant (pKa) at 25oC | - | - | - | |
| Note: | ||||
| Vapour pressure at 20oC (mPa) | 53 | G4 | Highly volatile | |
| Henry's law constant at 25oC (Pa m3 mol-1) | 3.53 X 1002 | L3 | Volatile | |
GUS leaching potential index  |
-0.93 | Calculated | Low leachability | |
| SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l-1) for a 1 kg ha-1 or 1 l ha-1 application rate |
Value | 5.35 X 10-03 | Calculated | - |
| Note | Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g-1 are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW | |||
| Potential for particle bound transport index |
- | Calculated | High | |
| Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol-1 cm-1 | - | - | - | |
| Surface tension (mN m-1) | - | - | - | |
Degradation:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
General biodegradability | - |
| Soil degradation (days) (aerobic) | DT50 (typical) | 285 | L3 | Persistent |
| DT50 (lab at 20oC) | - | - | - | |
| DT50 (field) | 250 | F3 | Persistent | |
| DT90 (lab at 20oC) | - | - | - | |
| DT90 (field) | - | - | - | |
| DT50 modelling endpoint | - | - | - | |
| Note | Other sources: DT50 around 2 yrs (R3), 9-10 months (R3) | |||
| Dissipation rate RL50 on plant matrix | Value | - | - | - |
| Note | - | |||
| Dissipation rate RL50 on and in plant matrix | Value | 4.8 | R4 | - |
| Note | Published literature RL50 range 1.0-13.5 days, 4 field crops, various matrices, n=5 | |||
| Aqueous photolysis DT50 (days) at pH 7 | Value | - | - | - |
| Note | - | |||
| Aqueous hydrolysis DT50 (days) at 20oC and pH 7 | Value | 1 | R3 | Non-persistent |
| Note | - | |||
| Water-sediment DT50 (days) | - | - | - | |
| Water phase only DT50 (days) | - | - | - | |
Soil adsorption and mobility:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Linear | Kd | - | G3 | Non-mobile |
| Koc | 24000 | |||
| Notes and range | Other sources: 21878 mL/g (R3) | |||
| Freundlich | Kf | - | - | - |
| Kfoc | - | |||
| 1/n | - | |||
| Notes and range | - | |||
| pH sensitivity | - | |||
Key metabolites:
| Metabolite | Formation medium | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | 1107/2009 relevancy |
|
| heptachlor epoxide (Ref: ENT 25584) | Soil | - | Not assessed under 91/414 or 1107/2009 | |
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Bio-concentration factor | BCF (l kg-1) | 2430 | R3 (whole body) | Threshold for concern |
| CT50 (days) | Not available | - | ||
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 147 | L3 Rat | Moderate | |
| Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL | (mg kg-1) | - | L1 Rat | - |
| (ppm diet) | 5 | - | ||
| Birds - Acute LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 2000 | L3 Anas platyrhynchos | Low | |
| Birds - Short term dietary (LC50/LD50) | - | - | - | |
| Fish - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | 0.007 | L3 Oncorhynchus mykiss | High | |
| Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC50 (mg l-1) | 0.042 | F4 Daphnia magna | High | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| 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) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC50, biomass (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Non-target plants | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | ||
| Algae - Acute 72 hour EC50, growth (mg l-1) | 0.027 | F4 Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata | Moderate | |
| Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Honeybees (Apis spp.) | Contact acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | > 0.526 | F4 | High |
| 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 pollinators (1) | Acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect-1) | 0.0168 | R4 Trigona spinipes | High |
| Mode of exposure | Contact | |||
| Other pollinators (2) | Acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect-1) | - | - | - |
| Mode of exposure | - | |||
| Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC50 (mg kg-1) | - | - | - | |
| Earthworms - Chronic 14 day NOEC, reproduction (mg kg-1) | - | - | - | |
| Other soil macro-organisms - e.g. Collembola | LR50 / EC50 / NOEC / % Effect | - | - | - |
| Other arthropod (1) | LR50 g ha-1 | - | - | - |
| % Effect | - | - | - | |
| Other arthropod (2) | LR50 g ha-1 | - | - | - |
| % Effect | - | - | - | |
| Soil micro-organisms | - | - | - | |
| Mesocosm study data | NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - |
| NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - | |
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
for heptachlor
General:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class) |
High (class III) | - | - | |
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 147 | L3 Rat | Moderate | |
| Mammals - Dermal LD50 (mg kg-1 body weight) | 195 | R3 Rat | - | |
| Mammals - Inhalation LC50 (mg l-1) | 2.0 | R3 Rat | - | |
| Other Mammal toxicity endpoints | - | - | ||
| ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.0001 | JMPR | - | |
| ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg-1bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg-1 bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg-1bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| Dermal penetration studies (%) | - | - | - | |
| Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464 | List I; List II | - | - | |
| Exposure Routes | Public | Risk of exposure via food is now considered negligible | ||
| Occupational | May be absorbed through intact skin | |||
| European MRLs | Click here for the EU MRL pesticide database | |||
| Drinking Water Standards | UK statutory standard for protection of drinking water: 0.030 ug/L EU Directive 2008/105/EC standard for protection of drinking water: 0.030 ug/L |
UK EA QS database, 2018 | - | |
| Drinking Water MAC (μg l-1) | 0.03 | UK EA QS database, 2018 | - | |
Health issues:
| Carcinogen | Genotoxic | Endocrine disrupter | Reproduction / development effects | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Neurotoxicant | |||
|
A3; B0; C0; D0; E3 |
|
|
|
|
|||
| Respiratory tract irritant | Skin irritant | Skin sensitiser | Eye irritant | Phototoxicant | ||||
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|||
| General human health issues | Bioaccumulates Liver toxicant Endocrine issues - Binding to cellular estrogen and androgen receptors |
|||||||
| Key: Genotoxicity A: Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) B: DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) C: Gene mutation (EFSA database) D: Genome mutation (EFSA database) E: Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0: No data 1: Positive 2: Mixed/ambiguous results 3: Negative |
Key: Other : Yes, known to cause a problem  : No, known not to cause a problem  : Possibly, status not identified - : No data found |
|||||||
Handling issues:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| General |
Incompatible with alkaline substances | |||
| CLP classification 2013 | Health: H301, H311, H351, H373 Environment: H400, H410 |
|||
| EC Risk Classification |
Carcinogen category 3: R40 T - Toxic: R24/25, R33 N - Dangerous for the environment: R50, R53 |
|||
| EC Safety Classification |
S1/2, S36/37, S45, S60, S61 | |||
| WHO Classification | II | - | Moderately hazardous | |
| UN Number | - | |||
| Waste disposal & packaging |
- | |||
| Language | Name |
| English | heptachlor |
| French | heptachlore |
| German | Heptachlor |
| Danish | heptachlor |
| Italian | eptaclor |
| Spanish | heptaclor |
| Greek | heptachlor |
| Slovenian | heptaklor |
| Polish | heptachlor |
| Swedish | - |
| Hungarian | - |
| Dutch | heptachloor |
Record last updated: Thursday 20 June 2019
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk