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China - Final Regulatory Action
Chlordecone CAS number:
143-50-0
Date circular:
12/06/2017

Chemical name: 1,3,4-Metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalen-2-one, 1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachlorooctahydro-

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 production, circulation, use, import and export of Chlordecone have all been banned in China.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

None

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Since March 26th 2014, the production, circulation, use, import and export of Chlordecone have all been banned in China.

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

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Chlordecone is readily absorbed into the body and accumulates following prolonged exposure. The pesticide is both acutely and chronically toxic, producing neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive, musculoskeletal and liver toxicity at doses between 1 -10 mg/kg bw/day in experimental animal studies. Liver cancer was induced in rats at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight per day and in mice at a dose of 2.6 mg/kg bw/day, and reproductive effects are seen at similar dose levels. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified Chlordecone as a possible human carcinogen (IARC group 2B).

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

To protect the environment and human health.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment: Chlordecone is not expected to hydrolyse or biodegrade in aerobic aquatic environments or in soil; however, there is some evidence of' degradation under anaerobic condition. Direct photodegradation is not significant. Based on all available data Chlordecone is considered to be highly persistent in the environment.

With BCF-values of up to 6,000 in algae, of up to 21,600 in invertebrates and of up to 60,200 in fish, and with documented examples of biomagnification, chlordecone is considered to have a high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

In summary, the available data on Chlordecone are not conclusive when it comes to long-range atmospheric transport in gaseous form. However, atmospheric transport of particle-boundsubstances and transport of sediment particles in ocean currents, as well as biotic transport, could also contribute to long- range environmental transport of Chlordecone Coupled atmosphere-ocean transport also seems quite possible.

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

To protect the environment and human health.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 26/03/2014