Toxaphene, a once widely used pesticide, was banned in the US in 1982 and globally in 2004 due to its harmful effects on human health and the environment. It is a known carcinogen and poses a threat to animals. Although cleanup efforts exist, it remains in the environment. Safer alternatives are available.
Toxaphene is a chemical compound that was once widely used as a pesticide. In the United States, it was commonly applied to cotton fields to limit infestation and was also used to manage unwanted fish populations. In 1982, the United States banned the use of toxaphene in most settings, and in 2004, under the terms of the Stockholm Convention, a global ban on toxaphene and a long list of toxins known as the “ dirty dozen”.
This toxin was available in the form of a yellow to amber solid, which changed to a gaseous state when mixed with water. People might apply toxaphene in spray form. The chemical compound contains a complex mix of chemicals that varied slightly by manufacturer, explaining the color variations.
This pesticide doesn’t just kill insects and fish. It is also extremely dangerous to other animals and poses a serious threat to human health. Toxaphene accumulates in the body and is a known carcinogen. Exposure can cause kidney, central nervous system, and lung damage, and large exposure can lead to death. Tests can be conducted to determine whether or not the chemical is present in a patient and at what concentration.
All of these health issues have led to a ban on the chemical to limit exposure. Unfortunately, toxaphene doesn’t break down easily, which means there are large deposits of it in the natural environment. These deposits are found in landfills, around facilities where toxaphene was manufactured, and in places where it was used. The toxin becomes airborne and soilborne, posing an ongoing threat to people and animals that come into contact with it.
Also known as polychlorocamphene, chlorinated camphene, camphechlor or chlorocamphene, this toxin is found in many sites recognized as dangerous by government agencies. Environmental cleanup can be used to remove some of the toxaphene in the environment and dispose of it safely. Even with cleanup, however, lingering health effects are likely because the pesticide has been so widely used that it’s impossible to completely eliminate it from the environment.
There are numerous alternatives to toxaphene available to people who need insecticides for use in pest control. These alternatives are safer for the environment, either because they lack ingredients that are toxic to animals, or because they decompose quickly rather than lingering in the environment to cause harm.
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