Chlordane properties

In rabbits under light amytal anesthesia, chlordan has no direcr effect on the blood pressure, but produces a type of respiration having many characteristics in common with Cheyne-Stokes type. The generalized tremors, opisthotonus, tonic and clonic convulsions, produced by chlordan were decreased or abolished and respiration restored to normal by suitable injections of the sodium salts of amytal, phenobarbital, and pentothal. The LD60 of chlordan, which was about 20 mg. per kg. on intravenous administration to intact rabbits, was increased to about 60 mg. per kg. through the antidotal action of the barbiturates. An unidentified chlorine-containing degradation product with acidic properties was recovered from the urine of rabbits treated with chlordan. Approximately one third of its chlorine content was set free on hydrolysis at 100° C. with sodium hydroxide in either absolute alcohol or in water. 

Technical chlordane consists of about 45 components, primarily m-chlordane (19%), trans-chlordane (24%), heptachlor (10%), cis- and iran.v-nonachlor (7%), and various chlordane isomers (22%). Chemical analysis of technical chlordane is difficult because of analytical interferences from other organochlorine compounds, nonstandardization of analytical techniques, variations in the number and relative composition of components in weathered chlordane, and uncertainty of the structural formulas and other properties of several compounds present. 

Ingle, L. 1965. A Monograph on Chlordane. Toxicological and Pharmacological Properties. Library of Congress Number 65-28686. 88 pp. 

The origin, composition, and chemical properties of HAs appear to have a smaller effect than the pesticide type on the extent of adsorption. However, the extent of pesticide adsorption by organic amendment HAs differs from that of soil HAs, and it varies depending on the type of pesticide. The same is true for amended soil HAs when compared to unamended soil HAs. In particular, HAs from sewage sludges show a smaller capacity to adsorb imazethapyr and rimsulfuron than do unamended soil HAs, whereas contrasting results are obtained for alachlor (Table 4.6). Pig slurry HA is less effective than any soil HA in adsorption of trans- and dx-chlordane, whereas the adsorption capacity of this HA for triallate is from about two to four times larger than that of soil HAs (Table 4.7). Similarly, results of Simpson et al. 

Lu, P.Y., Metcalf, R.L., Hirwe, A.S., Williams, J.W. (1975) Evaluation of environmental distribution and fate of hexachlorocyclo-pentadiene, chlordane, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide in laboratory model ecosystem. J. Agric. Food Chem. 23,967-973. Lyman, W.J. (1982) Atmospheric residence time. Chapter 10. In Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Lyman, W.J., Reehl, W.F., Rosenblatt, D.H., Editors, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. 

Many other chlorinated insecticides have been developed. Some of them also accumulate in the environment, gradually producing toxic effects in wildlife. Others can be used with little adverse impact if they are applied properly. Because of their persistent toxic effects, chlorinated insecticides are rarely used in agriculture. They are generally used when a potent insecticide is needed to protect life or property. For example, lindane is used in shampoos to kill lice, and chlordane is used to protect wooden buildings from termites. The structures of some chlorinated insecticides are shown next. 

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. Properties of some chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides are given in Table VI. All of the compounds, except for lindane, are insoluble in water. DDT is about ten times more insoluble than the other chlorinated hydrocarbons. The vapor pressure of the compounds are classified as follows low(0.1 -0.9 X 10 mm Hg)—DDT, endrin, and dieldrin, moderate (1.0-9.9 X 10 mm Hg)— toxaphene and aldrin, high (10-99 X 10 mm Hg)—chlordan and lindane, and very high (100-999 X 10" mm Hg)— heptachlor. 

Although the toxic properties are more or less the same for structurally similar compounds, such as Heptachlor and Chlordane, the degree of toxicity may vary significantly with chlorosubstitution in the compound. For example, substitution of chlorine atoms with methoxy group in the aromatic rings in DDT decreases the latter s toxicity. Thus, the methoxy derivative, Methoxychlor, is significantly less toxic than DDT. Similarly, ethyl-substituted Perthane is much less toxic than p,p -DDD. 

These experts collectively have knowledge of chlordane s physical and chemical properties, toxicokinetics, key health end points, mechanisms of action, human and animal exposure, and quantification of risk to humans. All reviewers were selected in conformity with the conditions for peer review specified in Section 104(i)(13) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended. 

The physical and chemical properties of chlordane are presented in Table 3-2. The physical and chemical properties of technical chlordane are difficult to specify since there are many components in the technical mixture. For example, technical chlordane is a viscous liquid made of a mixture of many compounds that are solids when pure (a eutectic mixture). The state of the technical product alone will effect the properties of the product. For example, the vapor pressure of the pure... 

Tsushimoto G, Chang CC, Trosko JE, et al. 1983. Cytotoxic, mutagenic, and cell-cell communication inhibitory properties of DDT, lindane, and chlordane on Chinese hamster cells in vitro. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 12 721-729. 

Chlordane Contamination of Government Quarters and Personal Property," USAF EHL Tech. Report 70-7, 1970. 

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