Chemical name: Benzene, hexachloro-

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:

All formulations

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:

Agricultural Development Ministry Decree no. 074 of 18 September 1997 establishing prohibited pesticides and listing prohibited pesticides in agriculture. Hexachlorobenzene is also included in this list.

Law No. 12 of 14 June 2000 approved the Rotterdam Convention for the application of the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous pesticides and chemicals in the international trade, signed in Rotterdam on 10 September 1998.

Law No.1 of 10 January 2001 on medicines and other hazardous products for human health.

Executive Decree no. 305 of 9 September 2002 establishing the automatic cancellation in order to regulate the import of certain potentially hazardous chemical substances (such as substances or controlled hazardous materials), and determining other provisions.

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

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The risks to human health and environment are higher than the benefits obtained with its use, no measure could reduce risks to an acceptable level, and better alternatives can be found.

Reducing exposure to risk factor will reduce the effects on the population directly exposed (occupational) and on the population indirectly exposed (accidental, environmental or acquired) to obsolete Hexachlorobenzene, this is confirmed by a series of special toxicity studies on systematized mammals by IRPTC, cataloging Hexachlorobenzene as: possibly carcinogenic to human, mutagenic, inmunotoxic, produces behavioral changes, affects reproduction, teratogenic, produces effects in aquatic and terrestrial microorganisms.

During the Second Forum of the IFCS it was outlined that other studies were not necessary if the information was validated and confirmed by experts. However, the communication of risk evaluation could change.

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

The product is subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure which requires that hazardous substances and pesticides that are banned or severely restricted must not be exported, unless the importing country provide explicit consent. Those countries that do not consent such substances are obliged to prohibit national production of the substance for domestic uses. It is declared banned by the Government of Panama.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Moderately to highly toxic to fish.

It is not considered toxic to bees. HCB is a highly bioaccumulative substance. It is part of UNEP COP list for which international action is required in order to reduce risks to human health and environment.

HCB is widely spread in the environment due to its high mobility and resistance to degradation. HCB is very persistent, strongly bound to the soil and sediments. The estimated half- life in soil is from 3 to 6 years. Since it is highly bound to soil and given its low solubility in water, the HCB does not leach into water.

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

All registered formulations have been cancelled. It is considered hazardous waste subject to specialized control and treatment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/01/2002