Organochlorine carcinogenic

Potential hazards to humans may be connected with the use of chlorine-based washing systems. Apart from the direct occupational hazard, there are increasing concerns about the formation of potentially harmful by-products. Chlorine may react with organic compounds on the products and form hazardous organochlorines that are considered to be potential carcinogens (Beuchat, 1998 Betts and Everis, 2005). Betts and Everis (2005) suggest that a ban on the use of hypochlorite systems is likely in the future. 

Technical chlordane is an organochlorine compound first introduced into the United States in 1947 in a variety of formulations for use as a broad-spectrum pesticide. By 1974, about 9.5 million kg of chlordane were being produced annually. Concern over the potential carcinogenicity of chlordane has led to sharply curtailed production. Since 1983, chlordane use in the United States has been prohibited, except for control of underground termites. 

IARC. 1974. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man Some organochlorine pesticides. Vol 5. World Health Organization, Lyon, France. 

The use of chlorine for disinfecting wastewaters or drinking water has become widespread in this century. Recently, however, the increasing presence and variety of aquatic contaminants has raised the question of the chemical fate of these contaminants when subjected to aqueous chlorination [36]. In fact, the production of organochlorine compounds in chlorinated water, including mutagenic and carcinogenic substances, is well established [37,38], A number of alternatives to chlorination are used in many parts of the world, but the risks associated with their by-products are even less well established [39],... 

Tong C, Fazio M, Williams GM. 1981. Rat hepatocyte-mediated mutagenesis of human cells by carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but not organochlorine pesticides. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 167(4) 572-575. 

IARC, Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risks of Chemicals to Man, 5 "Some Organochlorine Pesticides," Lyons (1974). 

Anonymous, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man, Some Organochlorine Pesticides, Vol. 5, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, 1974. 

See also Carcinogen Classification Schemes Charcoal Chlordane Diazepam LD50/LC50 (Lethal Dosage 50/ Lethal Concentration 50) Organochlorine Insecticides. 

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