Chemical name: Benzeneacetic acid, 4-chloro-.alpha.-(4-chlorophenyl)-.alpha.-hydroxy-, ethyl ester

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:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of an agricultural remedy which contains Chlorobenzilate as an active ingredient.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

No agricultural remedy allowed.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of any agricultural remedy that contains Chlorobenzilate was prohibited as from the 30th June 1987.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The Decision Guidance Document on Chlorobenzilate notes the following in the section on summary of control actions:

Pro-carcinogen and potential reproductive hazards in male workers.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The elimination of adverse effects on the population of South Africa resulting from the use of Chlorobenzilate as an agricultural remedy.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The Decision Guidance Document on Chlorobenzilate prepared by the UNEP/FAO for the Secretariat for the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade notes the following:

Environmental Fate:

·Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Chlorobenzilate has a low persistence in soils. Its half-life in fine sandy soils was 10 to 35 days after application of 0.5 to 1.0 ppm. The removal is probably due to microbial degradation. Because Chlorobenzilate is practically insoluble in water and it adsorbs strongly to soil particles in the upper soil layers, it is expected to exhibit low mobility in soils, and to therefore be unlikely to leach to groundwater. Following a 5-day application of Chlorobenzilate to several different citrus groves employing various tillage treatments, Chlorobenzilate was not found in subsurface drainage waters, or in surface runoff waters. Due to its strong adsorption to soil particles and low vapour pressure, Chlorobenzilate is not expected to volatilize from soil surfaces.

· Breakdown in water: Chlorobenzilate adsorbs to sediment and suspended particulate material in water. It is practically insoluble in water. It is not expected to volatilize but may be subject to biodegradation.

· Breakdown in vegetation: Chlorobenzilate is fairly persistent on plant foliage and may be phytotoxic, or poisonous, to some plants. It is not absorbed or transported throughout a plant. Chlorobenzilate residues have been found in the peel of citrus fruit. Its half-life in lemon and orange peels was from 60 to over 160 days. Spraying 200, 1000 and 5000 ppm. Chlorobenzilate in emulsions or suspensions caused leaf browning on most treated crops. When Chlorobenzilate was applied to the surface of soybean leaves, the miticide was quite stable and very little was absorbed and moved (or translocated) from one part of the plant to another.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reduction of Chlorobenzilate in the environment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 30/06/1987