Chemical name: 4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide, Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

Registration was withdrawn and the products containing heptachlor was banned for use as a pesticide.

Heptachlor and mixtures containing 6% or more of heptachlor are banned for manufacture, import and use as both industrial and agricultural purposes. No remaining uses are allowed, except for the use mentioned in the section below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Heptachlor and mixtures containing 1% or more of heptachlor are designated as toxic chemicals in TCCA. So mixtures containing less than 6% of heptachlor may be manufacture or used only after registration to competent authorities. Use of the chemical for research or laboratory purposes is allowed.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

No remaining use is allowed.

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Heptachlor and mixtures containing 6% or more of heptachlor are banned for manufacture, import and use as both industrial and agricultural purposes. No remaining uses are allowed.

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

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Heptachlor has potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effect to humans, and it causes CNS excitant and convulsant. Heptachlor is an experimental animal carcinogen. It can induce liver, thyroid and pancreatic tumours, as well as tumours of the reproductive system, in mice and rats.

Heptachlor has multiple reproductive effects, including reduction of male and female fertility, decreased implantation, increased resorptions, disruption of oestrus cycles and depression of sperm counts.

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

It is expected that the regulatory action has significantly reduced the potential risk of toxic effect on farmers using hte chemical for agricultural purpose, workers involved in the manufacture of industrial goods and the public using the goods.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Heptachlor is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and has high bioaccumulative and persistent effects.

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

It is expected that the regulatory action will reduce the risk due to bioaccumulative and persistent effects in environment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 13/11/2003

Heptachlor and mixture containing 6% or more of heptachlor were banned ofr manufacture, use and import except use for an additive of rmanufacture of industrial goods by MOE's Public Notice No. 1991-44 (9 August 1991). The notice was amended several times and final amended notice took into force on 13 November 2003.

1 January 1979 (by the Agrochemicals Management Act).