(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.
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 Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile; Potential for particle bound transport: Medium
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; Carcinogen; Reproduction/development effects
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
An obsolete insecticide that was often used in conjunction with other active substances to control a wide range on insects on crops and livestock
Example pests 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
-
Availability status
Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries; Banned in many countries
Introduction & key dates
1947, first developed
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Expired
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
Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
-
Listed in EU database
Yes
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States
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.
CAS RN
8001-35-2
EC number
232-283-3
CIPAC number
23
US EPA chemical code
080501
PubChem CID
58167
Molecular mass
413.96
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
reaction mixture of chlorinated camphenes containing 67–69% chlorine
CAS name
2,2,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10-Octachlorobornane
Other status information
Chemical subject to PIC regulations; OSPAR soc; POP - regulated by Stockholm Convention; Severe Marine Pollutant; Rotterdam Convention (Class O); PAN Bad Actor
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
Not known
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
-
Physical state
Yellow to amber waxy solid
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
Hercules
BCF
Example products using this active
Agrones Hepta
Altox
Attac
Toxaphene
Phenacide
Phenatox
Toxakil
101 Brand Cabbage Dust
Formulation and application details
Usually formulated as a wettable power, dust or emulsifiable concentrate
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)
-
-
-
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
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
?Possibly, status not identified
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
General human health issues
IARC group 2B 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
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
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
