EPSILON-HCH

Chemical properties

BHC is a white-to-brownish crystalline solid with a musty, phosgene-like odor.

The Uses of EPSILON-HCH

ε-1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexachlorocyclohexane is an organochloride which is one of the isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane and is an byproduct of insecticide Lindane (L465990).

Definition

ChEBI: Beta-hexachlorocyclohexane is the beta-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane. It has a role as a persistent organic pollutant. It is an organochlorine pesticide and a hexachlorocyclohexane.

Potential Exposure

The major commercial usage of BHC is based upon its insecticidal properties. α-BCH is used as an Agricultural chemical, pesticide, pharmaceutical, and veterinary drug. The 7-isomer has the highest acute toxic ity, but the other isomers are not without activity. It is gen erally advantageous to purify the 7-isomer from the less active isomers. The γ-isomer acts on the nervous system of insects, principally at the level of the nerve ganglia. As a result, lindane has been used against insects in a wide range of applications including treatment of animals, buildings, humans for ectoparasites, clothes; water for mosquitoes; living plants; seeds and soils. Some applications have been abandoned due to excessive residues, e.g., stored food stuffs. By voluntary action, the principal domestic producer of technical grade BHC requested cancellation of its BHC registrations on September 1, 1976. As of July 21, 1978, all registrants of pesticide products containing BHC voluntar ily canceled their registrations or switched their former BHC products to lindane formulations.

Shipping

UN2761 Organochlorine pesticides, solid, toxic, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explo sions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Decomposes on contact with powdered iron, aluminum, zinc, and on contact with strong bases producing trichlorobenzene.

Waste Disposal

A process has been developed for the destructive pyrolysis of benzene hexachloride @ 400 500℃ with a catalyst mixture which contains 5 10% of either cupric chloride, ferric chloride; zinc chloride; or aluminum chloride on activated carbon.