Camphechlor (Ref: Hercules 3956)

Camphechlor (Ref: Hercules 3956)	Last updated: 19/05/2026
(Also known as: toxaphene; polychlorocamphene; chlorocamphene; toxafeen; octachlorocamphene)

SUMMARY

Camphechlor is an obsolete insecticide and acaricide. It has a low aqueous solubility, is quite volatile and moderately mobile. Based on its chemical properties, it has a high risk of leaching to groundwater. It is not expected to be persistent in soil but may be persistent in water systems. Camphechlor is highly toxic to mammals and is likely to bioaccumulate. It is highly toxic to birds and most aquatic organisms.

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) 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. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile	Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High; Mammals chronic toxicity: High; Reproduction/development effects	Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type I alert Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type II alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An obsolete insecticide that is reaction mixture of chlorinated camphenes containing 67–69% chlorine and was often used in conjunction with other active substances to control a wide range on insects on crops and livestock

Example pests/issues controlled

Lygus bugs; Aphids; Spidermites; Ticks; Fleas; Mange mites; Lice; Scab mites; Grasshoppers; Armyworms; Cutworms

Example applications

Cotton; Ornamentals; Pineapples; Corn and small grains; Vegetables; Oilseeds; Livestock

Efficacy & activity

GB regulatory status

GB Retained EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Date GB regulatory inclusion expires

Expired

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

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

Expired

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

Camphechlor exhibits complex isomerism due to its nature as a chlorinated mixture of camphene derivatives. It is not a single compound but a technical mixture containing hundreds of chlorinated bicyclic terpenes, primarily derived from camphene. The isomerism arises from the multiple positions and degrees of chlorination on the camphene skeleton, leading to a vast array of structural and stereoisomers. These isomers differ in the number and placement of chlorine atoms, as well as in their three-dimensional configurations.

Chemical formula

C₁₀H₁₀Cl₈

Canonical SMILES

C1C2C(C(C(C1(Cl)Cl)(C2(CCl)C(Cl)Cl)CCl)Cl)Cl

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

YNEKMCSWRMRXIR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10H10Cl8/c11-2-8(7(15)16)4-1-10(17,18)9(8,3-12)6(14)5(4)13/h4-7H,1-3H2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide; Acaricide; Veterinary substance

Substance groups

Organochloride insecticide; Organochlorine acaricide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

A non-systemic contact and stomach insecticide. It acts on the neurons, causing an imbalance in sodium and potassium ions, similar to that of the cyclodiene insecticides.

Insecticide behavioural & physiological effects

Neurotoxin (hyperexcitability)

CAS RN

8001-35-2

EC number

232-283-3

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

080501

PubChem CID

58167

CLP index number

602-044-00-1

Molecular mass (Da)

413.96

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

2,2,5,6-tetrachloro-1,7-bis(chloromethyl)-7-(dichloromethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane

CAS name

2,2,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10-Octachlorobornane

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	✓ (Annex III)Yes (Annex III) Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
✓Yes Stockholm Convention	✓ (Section B)Yes (Section B) OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Yes [; ; ]

Type II

Yes [; ; ; ; ; ; ]

Other status information

Severe marine pollutant; PAN Bad Actor

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not classified

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Yellow to amber waxy solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

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

Introduction & key dates

1947, developed and introduced; 2005, banned in EU

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

Hercules
BCF

Example products using this active

Example products using this substance as a possible coformulant

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as a wettable power, dust or emulsifiable concentrate

Commercial production

Camphechlor is produced through the photochlorination of camphene using elemental chlorine gas under ultraviolet irradiation. This process yields a complex mixture of chlorinated bornanes and camphenes, typically containing 67–69% chlorine by weight. In laboratory settings, alternative chlorinating agents like sulfuryl chloride have been used to replicate the composition of both low- and high-chlorinated camphechlor mixtures.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for the amount of life cycle GHGs produced by camphechlor are not available in the public domain. However, whilst estimates vary, more general data suggests that between 14 and 19 kilograms of CO₂e is emitted per kilogram of insecticide produced. Due to the energy-intensive production process, emissions are likely to be towards the top of this range.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

3.0

Low

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

4500000

Benzene

4500000

Carbon tetrachloride

4500000

Xylene

2800000

Kerosene

Melting point (°C)

Range 65-90

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

2.00 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.3

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Soluble

Data type

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.65

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.67

Low volatility. If applied directly to plants, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

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

6.08 X 10^-01

Moderately volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (Unknown measurement conditions)

DT₅₀ (typical)

365

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Literature sources highly variable: DT₅₀ 2 months and 14 years; US sources: 9 days (DW3, US3); Field studies DT₅₀ range 9 - 500 days (R3)

Soil mineralisation

Aerobic (at 20 °C)

Anaerobic (at 20 °C)

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

3.6

Note

Published literature RL₅₀ range 1.6-5.0 days, 4 field crops, various matrices, n=4

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

12.6

Note

Published literature RL₅₀ range 2.3-25.2 days, 4 field crops, various matrices, n=7

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

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

Value

Stable

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

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.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Moderately mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

295

Notes and range

General literature: log K_oc = 2.47-5.00; K_oc 100000 mL g⁻¹ (US2)

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

1.46

Calculated

Low leachability

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

Value

1.86 X 10^-02

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Moderately mobile

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

76000

High potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

strobane (Ref: ENT 19442)

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Rat

High

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

0.35

Rat 2-yr

High

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 15

Anas platyrhynchos

High

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

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

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

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

0.144

Apis mellifera

High

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

> 19.1

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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

Chronic

Notes

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)

0.216

Megachile rotundata

High

Mode of exposure

Contact

Other bee species (2)

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

0.0023

Nomia melanderi

High

Mode of exposure

Contact

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.0044

Lepomis macrochirus

High

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.00005

Ictalurus punctatus

High

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

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

0.0141

Daphnia magna

High

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

> 0.016

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

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

0.0021

Americamysis bahia

High

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

> 0.38

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

0.07

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

1.5

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

No data

No data for acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

No data for non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

0.00288

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

No data

No data for parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

5E-06

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.000141

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

0.038

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Rat

High

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

0.35

Rat 2-yr

High

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

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

Public

Possible risk via food contamination

Occupational

Absorbed by the intact skin and from the gastrointestinal tract

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly eliminated in urine and faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

IARC group 2B carcinogen; CLP data - suspected carcinogen; US NTP - suspected carcinogen; OSHA - anticipated human carcinogen; US EPA - probable human carcinogen
Ingestion may be fatal
May cause convulsions
Potential kidney toxicant
May cause allergic bronchopneumonia
Endocrine issues - Increase of estrogen-sensitive cells proliferation

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
Not compatible with strongly alkaline pesticides
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H312, H315, H335, H351
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Not classified: Obsolete

UN Number

UN2996

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group II (moderate danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

camphechlor

French

bamphéchlore

German

Camphechlor

Danish

camphechlor, toxaphen

Italian

camfeclor

Spanish

camfeclor

Greek

Polish

kamfechlor

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

toxafeen

Norwegian

Record last updated:

19/05/2026

Contact:

aeru@herts.ac.uk

Please cite as:

Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. and Warner, D.J. (2026) A decade of growth and impact of the Pesticide Properties Database (PPDB). Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 32(6), 1104-1129. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2026.2702066

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

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