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

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:

Heptachlor was excluded from the list of active substances authorized for use in plant protection products in 1991 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 Heptachlor according to annual adopted list of active ingredients banned for use in plant protection products under the ?lant Protection Act since 2003. Heptachlor 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:

Heptachlor is highly toxic to humans, and causes hyperexcitiation of the central nervous system and liver damage. Retrospective studies on people employed and heptachlor sprayers have shown significant increases in death from cerebrovascular disease. Heptachlor had been found to have significant effects on progesterone and oestrogen levels in laboratory rats. Other animal studies show nervous system disruption and liver damage. Of particular concern is its demonstrated carcinogenic response in laboratory rodents and its potential impact on human health from widespread environmental contamination in the food chain.

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

To reduce exposure of the chemical and the associated risks to human health. Lower residues in crops, more healthy food.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Heptachlor is subject to long-range transport as indicated by its presence in precipitation samples from Lake Erie. It has been found in mosquito fish, soft clam, oyster, and fathead minnow. Heptachlor is potentially very highly toxic to both warm-water and cold-water fish species; acute LC₅₀ to bluegill is 13 µg/l, and rainbow trout is 7.4 µg/l. It is also very highly toxic to freshwater invertebrates; acute 48 hr EC₅₀ for Daphnia pulex, Pteronarcys sp. and Orconectes sp. is 42 µg/l, 1.1 ?g/l and 0.5 µg/l, respectively. Heptachlor is potentially highly toxic to birds; dietary LC₅₀ to bobwhite quail, pheasant, and mallard duck is 92 ppm, 24 ppm, and 480 ppm, respectively. The characteristic of heptachlor to bio-accumulate could produce secondary chronic effects in exposed organisms and possible bio-magnification in the food chain.

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

To avoid and reduce exposure, hazards and risks of the chemical to the environment.

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