(Also known as: alpha-HCH; alpha-benzenehexachloride; alpha-BHC; alpha-lindane)
SUMMARY
Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane is an insecticide that is not generally approved for use in the developed world. It is moderately toxic to mammals and is likely to be carcinogenic. Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane has a low aqueous solubility and is highly volatile. It is moderately persistent is soil and slightly mobile. It is moderately toxic to birds and aquatic organisms.
Data 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.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Environmental fate High alert: Potential for particle bound transport: High
Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Possible Carcinogen; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
Historically an insecticide and a component of the mixed isomer product but now only produced as a byproduct of lindane production. It is also a lindane impurity that has some insecticidal properties
Example pests controlled
Soil-dwelling and plant eating insects
Example applications
Fruit and vegetable crops; Forestry; Public health applications
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
-
Introduction & key dates
-
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Not applicable
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status
Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Not applicable
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
Yes
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
Also used in
-
Chemical structure
Isomerism
There are nine stereoisomers (eight diastereomers, one of which has two enantiomers).
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
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
?Possibly, status not identified
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
?Possibly, status not identified
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
 
General human health issues
Exposure may cause dyspnoea, anorexia, tremors, convulsions and cramps Liver, kidney and heart toxicant Induces a carcinogenic response in rodents via aberrant cell proliferation; CLP data - suspected carcinogen; US NTP - suspected carcinogen
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