Mirex in human

Bush, B., J. Snow, S. Connor, L. Rueckeit, Y. Han, P. Dymerski, and D. Hilker. 1983. Mirex in human milk in upstate New York. Arch, Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12 739-746. 

No data were located regarding absorption of mirex in humans after inhalation exposure. 

Respiratory Effects. No studies were located regarding the respiratory toxicity of mirex in humans or animals. Thus, insufficient information is available to determine whether persons exposed to mirex at hazardous waste sites might experience adverse respiratory effects. 

Acute-Duration Exposure. No information is available regarding the effects of acute-duration exposure to mirex in humans following inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure. A large number of studies have been published for acute-duration oral exposure of rats and mice to mirex (Baggett et al. 1980 Berman et al. 1986 Buelke-Sam et al. 1983 Chernoff et al. 1979a, 1979b Chu et al. 

Bush B, Snow J, Connor S, et al. 1983a. Mirex in human niilk in upstate New York. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 12(6) 739-746. 

Korver MP, Burse VW, Needhain LL, et al. 1991. Determination of mirex in human blood scrum containing polychlorinated biphenyls by using packed column gas chromatography. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 74(5) 875-877. 

Miyazaki T, Yamagishi T, Matsumoto M. 1986. [Identification of 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene and mirex in human milk by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.] Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan 27(3) 267-271. (Japanese)... 

There is little information on effects of acute exposure to mirex in humans. 

We do not know for sure whether either mirex or chlordecone causes cancer in humans. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that mirex and chlordecone may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that mirex and chlordecone are possibly carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has not classified mirex or chlordecone as to carcinogenicity. In rodents, mirex causes liver, adrenal, and blood cancer. Chlordecone also causes liver cancer in rodents, but because of problems with these animal studies, more information is necessary to be sure. 

No studies were located regarding death in humans following inhalation exposure to mirex. No deaths were reported to result from exposure to chlordecone (Cannon et al. 1978 Taylor et al. 

No studies were located regarding gastrointestinal, hematological, renal or endocrine effects in humans or animals following inhalation exposure to mirex or chlordecone. The systemic effects observed after inhalation exposure are discussed below. 

Cardiovascular Effects. No studies were located regarding cardiovascular effects in humans following inhalation exposure to mirex. Electrocardiography of 23 workers with active symptoms of chlordecone intoxication resulting from intermediate- or chronic-duration inhalation exposures to high blood concentrations (in excess of 2 pg/L) of chlordecone revealed no adverse effects on the heart (Taylor 1982, 1985). 

No studies were located regarding immunological effects in humans or animals after inhalation exposure to mirex or chlordecone. 

Respiratory Effects. No studies were located regarding respiratory effects in humans following oral exposure to mirex. Pleuritic chest pain was reported by 32 of 133 workers employed at a facility that manufactured chlordecone (Cannon et al. 1978). Among 23 workers with blood chlordecone levels in excess of 2 pig/L, 18 reported pleuritic chest pains. Further examination of these 18 workers revealed no dyspnea and chest x-rays were normal (Taylor 1982, 1985 Taylor et al. 1978) thus, the cause of the chest pains is unknown. Slthough oral exposures are not normally encountered in occupational situations, hygiene was particularly poor at this plant and oral exposures were likely. Therefore, intermediate-and chronic-duration oral exposure to chlordecone cannot be ruled out as a possible cause for the chest pains. 

Cardiovascular Effects. No studies were located regarding cardiovascular effects in humans following oral exposure to mirex. Symptoms associated with the cardiovascular system were not... 

Hepatic Effects. Hepatic changes were observed in one chronic human exposure to mirex, as well as in a number of workers exposed to chlordecone for intermediate or chronic durations. In the mirex study, human subjects (sex and number not specified) from a chronically exposed cohort from southeast Ohio (route of exposure not specified, assumed to be oral) were assessed for cytochrome P- 4501A2 induction using a breath test that measures caffeine metabolism. The subjects exposed to mirex had elevated caffeine metabolism as compared to negative control individuals (subjects with no known exposure to polyhalogenated biphenyls or other related chemicals) in which the metabolism did not increase (Lambert et al. 1992). In the chlordecone study, liver function and structure in 32 men exposed to high levels of chlordecone while employed for 1-22 months (5.6... 

---