Chemical name: Phenol, pentachloro-

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:

National Constitution. Sanitary Code. Law No. 66 of 10 November 1947.Notified on 1998.

Agricultural Development Ministry Decree No. 074 of 18 September 1997 establishing prohibited pesticides and listing prohibited pesticides in agriculture. Pentachlorophenol 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:

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 Pentachlorophenol (PCP), this is confirmed by a series of specific toxicity studies on aquatic and terrestrial organisms in the environment.

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:

The PCP is highly toxic to mammals, birds and aquatic organisms. It is also phytotoxic. It is the most toxic chlorophenol administered in tests. Some of the acute effects on the exposure of commercial PCP can be attributed to micro contaminants present in the technical grade preparation (IPCS, 1987).

The PCP is highly toxic to mammals, birds and aquatic organisms. It is also phytotoxic. It is the most toxic chlorophenol administered in tests. Some of the acute effects from the exposure to commercial PCP can be attributed to micro contaminants present in the technical grade preparation (IPCS, 1987).

The relatively high volatility and mobility of PCP, and the solubility in water of PCP ionized form have resulted in an extensive environmental contamination and a long range circulation of this substance. PCP is leaching and volatile in wood and treated surfaces and can reach water bodies, causing damage to fish. It bioaccumulates significantly, but does not biomagnify. It can reach soil through leaching of treated wood, but its mobility in soil depends on the soil type. It can be very mobile, can lead to underground waters contamination and thereby contaminates drinkable water. The life span of bacterial degradation in aerobic carriers and anaerobic carriers is between 15 to 48 days. It is quite persistent. Persistence in water varies between 1 and 190 days.

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

All formulations are not registered in Panama. It is considered hazardous waste subject to specialized control and treatment.

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