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Just the facts
| Physical Information |
| Name: Endosulfan |
| Use: pesticide |
| Source: synthetic chemistry |
| Recommended daily intake: none |
| Absorption: ingestion, dermal, inhalation |
| Sensitive individuals: all |
| Toxicity/symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, mental confusion, convulsions, seizures, coma |
| Regulatory facts: EPA classifies as highly toxic, FDA regulates parts per million in food |
| Environmental: decomposes after a few weeks on food, remains longer in the soil |
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Chemical Structure
Structure from Pesticideinfo.org
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Chemical Description
Endosulfan is a solid substance, often found as crystals or flakes, and can range from brown to cream-colored. This pesticide, which smells like turpentine, does not burn the skin. Common trade names include Afidan, Beosit, Endocel, Endocide, Endosol, Hildan, Insectophene, Malix, Thifor, and Thionex (ATSDR).
Uses
Endosulfan is used as an insecticide on a variety of crops, including many food crops. It is also used as a wood preservative (ATSDR).
Health Effects
Affects the function of the nervous system. It is unknown whether endosulfan is carcinogenic (ATSDR).
Endosulfan is most toxic when ingested, but is also significantly toxic to humans through dermal contact (Etoxnet).
Consequences of exposure to endosulfan can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, hypersensitivity to stimulation, vomiting, incoordination, mental confusion, hyperexcitability, and tremor. In more severe cases, reactions can include convulsions, seizures, coma, and respiratory depression (Pesticideinfo.org).
Chronic exposure to endosulfan can harm the kidneys, liver, parathyroid gland, and blood chemistry (Pesticideinfo.org).
Environmental Effects
Endosulfan particles that make their way into the soil can take years to break down. Endosulfan on food crops usually takes a few weeks to decompose.
Endosulfan does not break down easily or quickly in water, leading to bioaccumulation in animals (ATSDR).
Regulation
The EPA classifies endosulfan as highly toxic, putting it in Toxicity Class I. It is a Restricted Use Pesticide, meaning that it can only be used by professional applicators (Etoxnet).
The USFDA does not allow more than 24 parts per million (ppm) on dried tea, and no more than 0.1 to 2 ppm on other food products (ATSDR).
External Links
References
Dept of Health and Human Services. ToxFAQs. ATSDR. Accessed 06.08.07.
Extension Toxicology Network. Pesticide Information Profiles - Endosulfan. Etoxnet. (1996). Accessed 06.08.07.
PAN Pesticides Database - Chemicals - Endosulfan. Pesticideinfo.org. Accessed 06.08.07.