ToxFAQsTM for Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD)
Spanish: Hexaclorociclopentadieno (HCCPD)
CAS# 77-47-4
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about hexachlorocyclopentadiene. For
more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
Highlights
HCCPD is used in a group of related pesticides, but only two of these are registered for use in the United States. Human data are limited, but it can cause headaches and irritate the nose, throat, eye, and skin. Animal tests suggests that very high levels of HCCPD can cause death. This substance has been found in at least 31 of the 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What is hexachlorocyclopentadiene?
HCCPD is a manufactured chemical that
does not occur naturally. It is a light, lemon-yellow liquid that has a sharp musty odor. It easily evaporates into the air; the vapor looks like a blue haze.
HCCPD is used in the manufacture of certain pesticides. Most of the HCCPD in the environment results from releases during its production and disposal. It is also used to make flame retardants, resins that won't burn, shock-proof plastics, esters, ketones, fluorocarbons, and dyes.
What happens to hexachlorocyclopentadiene when it enters the environment?
- HCCPD is released as vapor during manufacture and use.
- It is broken down quickly by sunlight and reactions with
other chemicals in the air.
- HCCPD doesn't dissolve readily in water.
- HCCPD in water will evaporate from the surface.
- About half the HCCPD in water will be changed to other
chemicals by light in only 4 minutes.
- HCCPD that gets into soil binds to decaying plant and
animal matter. If the soil is sandy, HCCPD can move through
it to reach underground water.
- About half of the HCCPD in the soil will be changed to
other chemicals by bacteria in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Small amounts of HCCPD can accumulate in fish.
How might I be exposed to hexachlorocyclopentadiene?
- By breathing it when you are working with or producing
HCCPD.
- By applying pesticides that contain it.
- By contact with soils that have recently been treated
with the pesticides endosulfan or pentac.
- By touching it or something that has been contaminated
with it.
- By eating or drinking foods contaminated with HCCPD, but
only a small amount will enter your blood stream.
How can hexachlorocyclopentadiene affect my health?
If you breathe high levels of HCCPD vapors,
you may get a sore throat or have shortness of breath and
chest discomfort. You may get a headache from breathing HCCPD.
Your liver and kidneys could also be affected. If HCCPD comes
in contact with your skin, it can cause a sore to form.
Animal studies show that when HCCPD is
inhaled, it caused bleeding, swelling, and fluid buildup in
the lungs. Exposure to large amounts caused breathing difficulty
and death. Other studies found that swallowing HCCPD caused
lung, liver, kidney, brain and heart damage; most of the animals
died during the exposure.
How likely is hexachlorocyclopentadiene to cause cancer?
There is no information available to
show whether HCCPD causes cancer in people. A study in rats
and mice did not show an increase in tumors. The EPA has determined
that HCCPD is not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
How does hexachlorocyclopentadiene affect children?
Children are unlikely to be exposed to
HCCPD. There is no information on the effects in children
or adults who were exposed as children.
We do not know if HCCPD causes birth
defects in people. Animal studies suggest that it does not
cause birth defects or other developmental problems. We do
not know if HCCPD can cross the placenta to unborn babies
or if it can accumulate in breast milk.
How can families reduce the risk of exposure to hexachlorocyclopentadiene?
If your doctor finds that you have been
exposed to significant amounts of HCCPD, ask if children may
also be exposed. When necessary, your doctor may need to ask
your state public health department to investigate.
Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to hexachlorocyclopentadiene?
If you have been recently exposed to
HCCPD, your blood and urine can be tested for its presence.
Doctors can collect the specimens and send them to special
laboratories for testing. These tests can determine whether
you have been exposed to HCCPD, but can't determine how much
you were exposed to or whether your health will be affected.
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
EPA has a regulation on how much HCCPD
can be present in drinking water. The maximum contaminant
level is 50 parts per billion (50 ppb). EPA recommends that
expousre in children should not exceed 2 ppm in water for
10-day periods or no more than 0.7 ppm for up to 7 years.
EPA requires that spills or accidental releases of 10 pounds
or more of HCCPD be reported to the EPA.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has a permissable exposure limit of 0.01 parts per
million (0.01 ppm) in air for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological Profile for Hexachlorocyclopentadiene. Atlanta, GA: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Where can I get more information?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or:
For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Office of Innovation and Analytics, Toxicology Section
4770 Buford Highway
Chamblee, GA 30341-3717
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO 888-232-6348 (TTY)
Email: Contact CDC-INFO
ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.