Chemical name: 1,3,4-Metheno-1H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalene-2-pentanoic acid, 1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachlorooctahydro-2-hydroxy-.gamma.-oxo-, 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:

All uses are prohibited.

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The manufacture, supply, import and use of substances as well as products that contain substances listed under Annex 3.1 Number 3 of the Ordinance relating to Environmentally Hazardous Substances (Ordinance on Substances, Osubst). Articles (textiles and leather goods) which contain substances listed under Number 3, may not be imported as commercial goods.

Annex 3.1 Number 3 includes Kelevan

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Kelevan is degraded quite rapidly by biotransformation and abiotic degradation to other caged structure products. The half-life of kelevan in soil has been reported to be 5-12 weeks. However, its major metabolite, chlordecone, persists in the soil for several years.

A few data are available on the environmental toxicity of kelevan. The toxic threshold level for rainbow trout is of the order of 0.1 mg.litre, and the oral LD₅₀ ^{for honey bees is 1 mg/bee. Domestic hens dosed with 20 mg kelevan/bird per day for 8 weeks did not show any adverse effects. A soil level of 2500 mg kelevan/kg did not affect the microflora over a 30-month period. However, the available data are too few to make an informed assessment of kelevan's likely impact on the environment, especially on a long-term basis.}

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

It is the objective of the North Sea Conferences: "To aim for a substantial reduction in the quantities of pesticides reaching the North Sea and to this end, by 31 December 1992, to control strictly the use and application of pesticides and to reduce, where necessary, emissions to the environment. Special attention will be paid to:

i) the phasing out of those pesticides which are the most persistent, toxic and liable to bioaccumulate see part (c) of Annex 1B);

ii) the establishment of approval systems specifying permitted pesticides and permitted uses".

The ban of Kelevan in Switzerland is intended to reach this objective.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 29/11/1995