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Endrin

DESIGNATIONS

CAS No.: 72-20-8
Registry name: Endrin
Chemical name: 1,2,3,4,10,10-Hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-endo,endo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalene
Synonyms, Trade names: Hexadrin, Mendrin, Compound 269
Chemical name (German): Endrin, 1,2,3,4,10,10-Hexachlor-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-endo,endo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalin
Chemical name (French): Endrine; 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-époxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-endo,endo-5,8-diméthanonaphtaléne
Appearance: colourless crystalline powder (technical product with 92 % endrin brownish-yellow); commercially available products are dissolved in organic solvents

BASIC CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA

Empirical formula:

C12H8Cl6O

Rel. molecular mass:

380.93 g

Density:

1.77 g/cm3 (technical product)

Melting point:

> 200°C (decomposition)

Vapour pressure:

2.6 x 10-5 Pa

Explosion limits:

1.1-7 % by vol. in air (technical product)

Solvolysis/solubility:

in water: virtually insoluble (0.23 mg/l)

soluble in acetone, benzene, ethanol, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters and ketones

Conversion factors:

1 ppm = 15.8 mg/m3

1 mg/m3 = 0.06 ppm

ORIGIN AND USE

Usage:
Used as a non-systemic insecticide, acaricide and rodenticide for grain.

Origin/derivation:
Endrin is produced as a side product of hexachlorocyclopentadiene and vinyl chloride with cyclopentadiene. Endrin also forms when isodrin is epoxidised with peracetic acid and perbenzoic acid. The degradation of dieldrin in the environment produces endrin (refer also to 'dieldrin' information sheet).

Toxicity

Mammals:

Rat:

LD50 7-43 mg/kg, oral

acc. MERCIER, 1981

LD50 15 mg/kg, dermal

acc. UBA, 1986

Mouse:

LD50 1,370 µg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

LD50 2,300 µg/kg, intravenous

acc. UBA, 1986

TDLo 11 mg/kg, oral, 7.-17. d of pregnancy

acc. UBA, 1986

Monkey:

LD50 3 mg/kg, oral

acc. MERCIER, 1981

Rabbit:

LD50 60 mg/kg, dermal

acc. UBA, 1986

Guinea pig:

LD50 16 mg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

Pig:

LD50 5,600 µg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

LD50 1,500 µg/kg, intravenous

acc. UBA, 1986

Aquatic organisms:

Carp:

TL 0.005 ppm (48h)

acc. UBA, 1986

Fish:

0.013-0.004 mg/l

acc. UBA, 1986

Organisms on which fish feed:

0.1 mg/l

acc. UBA, 1986

Characteristic effects:

Humans/mammals: As a central spasmodic agent, endrin is highly toxic in humans. Skin resorption is possible. Characteristic symptoms are already encountered following the intake of 1 mg/kg (UBA, 1986). 5 - 50 mg/kg are toxic and more than 6 g are lethal (MERCIER, 1981). Excretion via the kidneys and intestines is very slow (risk of accumulation). There is also damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Chlorine dioxide poisoning is often encountered due to metabolisation in the body.

ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR

Water:
Endrin is virtually insoluble in water and sinks to the bottom. However, its commercial products mix or disperse in water to form toxic, milky 'broths'. Endrin is also sensitive to strong acids. It therefore has a highly toxic effect particularly on fish and the organisms on which they feed and may harm all types of water. In Germany it is listed in class 3 of the catalogue of substances hazardous to water (highly hazardous).
(Refer also to 'dieldrin')

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Medium/ acceptor

Sector

Country/ organ.

Status

Value

Cat.

Remarks

Source
Water: Drinkw USA L 0.0002 mg/l MCL Long-time value acc. SCHROEDER, 1985
Drinkw USA G 0.0005 mg/l   In State of Illinois acc. WAITE, 1984
Waste water EC L 5 mg/l   Seawater acc. LEROY, 1985
Waste water EC L 5 mg/l   Freshwater acc. LEROY, 1985
Air: Workp D L 0.1 mg/m3 MAK   DFG, 1989
Workp USA (L) 0.1 mg/m3 TWA   ACGIH, 1986
Foodstuffs:       0.2 ng/kg/d ADI   acc. MERCIER, 1981

Note:
There has been a complete ban on the use of endrin in the Federal Republic of Germany since 1988.

Comparison/reference values

(Refer to 'dieldrin')

Assessment/comments

(Refer to 'dieldrin')

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