Chemical name: 2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexachloro-1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1a.alpha.,2.beta.,2a.alpha.,3.beta.,6.beta.,6a.alpha.,7 Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action: Formulacin comn: C12H8CL6O Uses: Insecticide used en fruit trees, pest in soils, corn crops, potatoes and cotton; and control of ectoparasites in livestock; later it has been restricted to be used as termicide and to control moths, until its definitive ban. The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: No Summary of the final regulatory action: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA DECREES: Law approving the Stockholm Convention, which is part of the legal framework of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. NOTE: The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has signed and ratified the provisions of the Stockholm Convention related to pesticides, stipulated in Art. 3 and Annex A of the Convention. Act on Hazardous Substances, Materials and Wastes In Article 7, prohibits all uses, importation and distribution of polluting organic-persistent chemicals, with the exception of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which may be used in a restricted manner, and only by government agencies, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, and with the approval of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in case of need to control epidemics. The list of polluting organic-persistent chemicals will be determined by the technical regulations and the international conventions, regulating this issue, ratified by the Republic. Resolution of the Ministries of Health and Welfare, Agriculture and Livestock and Environment and Renewable Natural Resources Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela It is the duty of the national executive to watch for the public health, and the protection and preservation of the environment; Organochlorine insecticides carry pollution problems of soils, water and air which should cause ecological imbalances in the environment; as has been detected by the indiscriminate use of organochlorine insecticides, which results in public health problems by the permanence of these residues in foods of vegetal and animal origin. For provision of the citizen President of the Republic and in accordance with the provisions of Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Organic Law of Central Administration, Article 10 of the National Health Act, Articles 4 and 5 of the Fertilizer Act and other Agents Susceptible to operate a beneficial action in plants, animals, soil or waters and Article 1 of the Sanitary Defense Law for Plant and Animal. Article 1- Preparation, import, export, storage, purchase, sale and distribution of organochlorine insecticides are only allowed for the following uses: 1.Vector control for medical reasons, provided that its application is executed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare or under its supervision and technical advice. 2.Control of agricultural pests, wherever an emergency situation and its application is executed or directed by the Ministry of Agriculture and breeding. 3.Control of leaf-cutting ants and ants, only grainy formulations containing Aldrin and Chlordane and in direct applications to the ground. 4.Control of termite in formulations containing Aldrin and Chlordane. Article 2- The Ministries of Health and Welfare and Agriculture and Breeding will publish timely, for the purpose of this Resolution, the list of the substances considered as organochlorine compounds. Article 3- Those cases not covered by this resolution, will be remitted to the National Executive through Joint Resolution of the Ministries of Health and Welfare, Agriculture and Livestock and the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. Article 4- To obtain authorizations to import, formulate and trade organochlorine insecticides, will be followed the procedure established in the general regulation of pesticides. Article 5- The relevant officials of the respective Ministries will ensure strict compliance of this resolution. Article 6- The infractions to the provisions contained in the present resolution shall be punished according to the rules specified in the Law on Sanitary Protection of Plants and Animals, without prejudice of the application of other sanctions contained in the existing legislation. Article 7- The present resolution will enter into force two months after the date of publication in the official gazette of the Republic of Venezuela. The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment Summary of known hazards and risks to human health: Health effects: Acute: same to those of exposure to organochlorines. Persistence of sleep disturbances have been reported for a few days or weeks. Chronic: prolonged exposure may lead to excitement of the central nervous system, abnormalities in electroencephalogram and convulsions. Dieldrin (metabolic by-product of aldrin) suppresses the immune system and causes liver cancer in mice. IARC classifies dieldrin in group 3 (possible human carcinogen). In test animals is fetus toxic and can alter male and female fertility. Endocrine disruption (1). People who have intentionally or accidentally ingested large amounts of dieldrin have suffered convulsions and some died. Health effects can also occur after a period of prolonged exposure to lower amounts because these chemicals can accumulate in the body. Some workers, exposed for a long time to moderate levels in the air, experienced headaches, dizziness, irritability, vomiting and uncontrolled muscle movements. Workers who were removed from the source of exposure quickly recovered from most of these effects. Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment: Aldrin that rapidly converts in dieldrin in the environment and in the human body, has been subject to control measures mainly because of its high toxicity for humans and many animals, its persistence in the environment, specially in temperate areas, and its bioaccumulation in the food chain and in human tissues. Dieldrin is very toxic for fish, crustaceans and many bird species and other animals, and very toxic for humans; short exposition to high levels causes headache, seasickness and tremors followed by convulsions, loss of consciousness and, possibly, death. Certain doses of aldrin and dieldrin administered orally have caused liver cancer in mice but not in rats. Mobility: If released into the soil, dieldrin gets strongly linked. It presents scarce mobility and remains immobile (Rf= 0.00) even exposed to high temperatures and to prolonged leaking. Degradation: dieldrin released into the soil persists during a period extremely long (more than 7 years). However, disappears very quickly from soil in the tropics, where in one month 90% of the product is lost. Its low solubility in water and the strong absorption in soil mean that leaching is unlikely. When released in an aquatic system, does not suffer hydrolysis or biodegradation. It is capable of photolysis with a semi disintegration of about 4 months, or slightly less in water containing a photo sensitizer. Degradation products: There are indications that photodieldrin can develop from the action of micro organisms. Volatilization/Evaporation: Small amounts of dieldrin can volatilize in soil or be dragged into the atmosphere in dust particles. The evaporation of dieldrin contained in water can be an important process (semi disintegration ranges from a few hours to few months). Bioaccumulation: It is considered that in water, dieldrin is absorbed in sediments and bioaccumulates in the aquatic organisms. Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 18/07/2005 Law approving Stockholm Convention Ratification 03 January 2005, Official Gazette N 38.098, (Entered into force 18-07-05). Act on Hazardous Substances, Materials and Wastes LAW N 55 Official Gazette Extraordinary No. 5554 dated 13 November 2001. Resolution of the Ministries of Health and Welfare, Agriculture and Livestock and Environment and Renewable Natural Resources Official Gazette Extraordinary No 32741 dated 6 June 1983. |