| Chlordecone (Ref: ENT 16391) |
![]() Last updated: 01/11/2025 |
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(Also known as: clordecone; decachloroketone; kepone) |
| SUMMARY |
| 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 depending 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 possible carcinogen and an irritant. |
| Hazard alerts |
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. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
| Environmental fate | Ecotoxicity | Human health | Highly Hazardous Pesticide |
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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. | |
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Ants; Cockroaches; Root borers; Colarado beetle; Rust mite; Wireworms; Powdery mildew | |
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Tobacco; Potatoes; Ornamentals including gladioli; Fruit including bananas, citrus | |
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| GB regulatory status |
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Not approved | ||
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Not applicable | ||
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
| EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Additional information |
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| Chemical structure |
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Chlordecone exhibits stereoisomerism due to its highly symmetrical and rigid cage-like structure. The molecule contains multiple chiral centres arranged within a tricyclic framework, leading to the possibility of diastereomers. However, because of its symmetry, chlordecone exists predominantly as a single stereoisomer in commercial formulations. | |
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C₁₀Cl₁₀O | |
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C1(=O)C2(C3(C4(C1(C5(C2(C3(C(C45Cl)(Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl | |
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- | |
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LHHGDZSESBACKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N | |
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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 | |
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Yes |
| General status |
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Insecticide; Fungicide; Miticide; Metabolite | ||||||||||||||
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Soil | ||||||||||||||
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Organochloride insecticide; Cyclodiene insecticide | ||||||||||||||
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- | ||||||||||||||
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Synthetic | ||||||||||||||
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Central nervous system stimulant. GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist. Has stomach action and also weak contact activity | ||||||||||||||
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143-50-0 | ||||||||||||||
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205-601-3 | ||||||||||||||
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297 | ||||||||||||||
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027701 | ||||||||||||||
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299 | ||||||||||||||
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606-019-00-6 | ||||||||||||||
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490.64 | ||||||||||||||
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(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 | ||||||||||||||
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perchloropentacyclodecan-5-one | ||||||||||||||
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1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalen-2-one | ||||||||||||||
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- | ||||||||||||||
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Yes [ C5 Criterion 5: Pesticide active ingredients listed by the Stockholm Convention in its Annexes A and B, and those meeting all the criteria in paragraph 1 of Annex D of the Convention (those identified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in annexes A or B of the Stockholm Convention) ] |
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Yes [ R02 Rule 2: Pesticide active ingredients that meet the criteria of carcinogenicity Categories 1A and 1B of the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) (those with a CLP classification of H350) ; R05 Rule 5: Pesticide active ingredients that are confirmed endocrine disruptors according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of an endocrine disruptor ; R06 Rule 6: Pesticide active ingredients listed by the Stockholm Convention in its Annexes A and B, and those meeting all the criteria in paragraph 1 of Annex D of the Convention (those identified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in annexes A or B of the Stockholm Convention) ; R09 Rule 9: Pesticide active ingredients that have demonstrated a high aquatic toxicity (where acute ecotoxicity for fish, invertebrates or algae =< 0.1 mg l⁻¹) ; R11 Rule 11: Pesticide active ingredients that are environmentally persistent (where sediment phase only DT₅₀ => 90 days or water phase only DT₅₀ => 90 days or DT₅₀ (field) => 60 days (note lab values are used when field values are not available)) ; R12 Rule 12: Pesticide active ingredients that are bioaccumulative (where bio-concentration factor (BCF) > 2000 l kg⁻¹ (if BCF is not available, where Log P >=5)) ] |
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LRTAP Annex I; Severe marine pollutant; Air pollutant | ||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||
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2A | ||||||||||||||
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Not applicable | ||||||||||||||
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None identified | ||||||||||||||
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Tan to white coloured solid depending upon purity | ||||||||||||||
| Can be a metabolite of: |
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| mirex | Soil | - | - | |||||
| kelevan | Soil | - | - |
| Commercial |
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Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries; Banned in many countries | |||
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1952, first reported; 1966 commercial production began, USA | |||
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Usually supplied formulated as bait or as a wettable powder | |||
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Chlordecone is commercially synthesised through a multi-step process involving the radical-induced coupling of hexachlorocyclopentadiene with tetrachloroethylene in the presence of aluminium chloride or other Lewis acid catalysts. This forms the polycyclic cage-like structure of chlordecone. The reaction is conducted under anhydrous conditions and elevated temperatures to ensure complete chlorination and cyclisation. | |||
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3.0 | 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 |
Low | ||||||||
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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 |
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Decomposes before boiling | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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350 | 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 |
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3.16 X 1004 | Calculated | - | |||||||
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4.5 | 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 |
High | ||||||||
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Soluble | 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 |
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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 |
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3.5 X 10-05 | 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 ) at 25 °C3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low volatility | ||||||||
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2.53 X 10-03 | 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 |
Non-volatile | ||||||||
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| Degradation |
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450 | 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 | |||||||
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300 | 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 |
Persistent | ||||||||
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Environmentally stable. Literature states it remains in soil for up to 1-2 years (B4) | ||||||||||
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Stable | 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 |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable | 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 |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | ||||||||
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Stable | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | ||||||||
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. | ||||||||||
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| Soil adsorption and mobility |
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- | 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 | |||||||
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2500 | ||||||||||
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Log10 Koc 3.38-3.415 | ||||||||||
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| Fate indices |
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1.49 | Calculated | Low leachability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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4.12 X 10-02 | Calculated | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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High | Calculated | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Slightly mobile | Calculated | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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60000 | 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 ) Menidia menidia4 = Verified data |
High potential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not available | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Known metabolites |
None
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| Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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91.3 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
High | ||||||||
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237 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Coturnix japonica3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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105 | 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 ) Eisenia foetida4 = Verified data |
Moderate | ||||||||
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| Aquatic ecotoxicology |
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0.02 | 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 ) Oncorhynchus mykiss4 = Verified data |
High | ||||||||
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0.41 | 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 ) Danio rerio EC₅₀ Embryo3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.03 | 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 ) Daphnia magna4 = Verified data |
High | ||||||||
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> 0.011 | 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 ) Daphnia magna4 = Verified data |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.010 | 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 ) Americamysis bahia4 = Verified data |
High | ||||||||
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584 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Chironomus dilutus 10 day EC₅₀3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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0.27 | 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 ) Chlorococcum spp.3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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| General |
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High (class III) | - | - | ||||||||
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91.3 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
High | ||||||||
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> 2000 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
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List I | - | - | ||||||||
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Food residues were a problem prior to the substance being banned May be absorbed via ingestion |
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A large number of cases of occupational poisoning have been reported | ||||||||||
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| Health issues |
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Moderately toxic Possible liver & kidney toxicant May cause severe tremor IARC Group 2B carcinogen; CLP data - suspected carcinogen; US NTP - suspected carcinogen Endocrine issues - Binding to estrogen and androgen receptors |
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| Handling issues |
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Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable | |||
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Health: H301, H311, H351 Environment: H400, H410 |
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Not classified: Obsolete (Not classified: Obsolete) | |||
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chlordecone | ||
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chlordecone | ||
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Chlordecon | ||
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clordecon | ||
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| Record last updated: | 01/11/2025 |
| Contact: | aeru@herts.ac.uk |
| Please cite as: | Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |








