Chemical name: 2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexachloro-1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1a.alpha.,2.beta.,2a.beta.,3.alpha.,6.alpha.,6a.beta.,7

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 and formulations of the chemical are prohibited.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

No uses that remain allowed.

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Endrin was excluded from the list of active substances authorized for use in plant protection products in 1969 under the Law on protection of plants against pests and blights. It has prohibited to production, use and place on the market all plant protection products containing Endrin according to annual adopted list of active ingredients banned for use in plant protection products under the Plant Protection Act since 2003. Endrin is designated as a PIC chemical. (Annex I of the Regulation on the import and export of certain dangerous chemicals on the Bulgarian territory). The chemical is listed in Annex II of the Regulation as prohibited for export from and import in the country.

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

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Endrin is an organochlorine insecticide. It is highly toxic (oral rat LD50 approximately 7 mg/kg) and can be hazardous for human beings, if incorrectly or carelessly handled. It is therefore essential that the correct precautions should be observed during its handling and use. Endrin is readily absorbed and toxic by mouth, by skin contact, and by inhalation. It acts as a stimulant of the central nervous system. An oral dose of 0.25 mg/kg body weight has been reported to cause convulsions in human beings. Symptoms may appear between 20 min and 12 h following accidental ingestion or gross overexposure, and may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness in the legs, and convulsions, sometimes leading to death. Organochlorine compounds can cause respiratory depression. They may also sensitize the heart to endogenous catecholamines, leading to cardiac arrhythmias and, in severe exposure cases, to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. Respiratory depression may lead to metabolic acidosis, and, if necessary, blood gases should be checked. The use of an ECG monitor is recommended if the symptoms are severe.

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

A reduction of exposure of endrin for workers and consumers.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Endrin is highly toxic for terrestrial animal species, especially fish, phytoplankton and other aquatic organisms. It is readily bioaccumulated in fish, but disappears rapidly when exposure is discontinued. It does not persist for long periods in the water, but may persist in sediments. Endrin does not show significant effects on soil microorganisms: concentrations of between 10, 100 or 1000 mg/kg soil had no effect on organic matter decomposition, dinitrification, methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, or carbon dioxide evolution under anaerobic conditions.

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

A reduction of exposure of Endrin to the environment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/04/2003