NFPA Label Key
ToxFAQs
CAS# 115-29-7
September 1995
|
NFPA Label Key
|
| SUMMARY: Exposure to endosulfan occurs mainly from eating contaminated food. At very high levels, endosulfan affects the central nervous system. We don't know if endosulfan is hazardous when exposure is for a long time at low levels. This chemical has been found in at least 143 of the 1,416 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency. |
What is endosulfan?
(Pronounced en'do-sul'fan)
Endosulfan is a cream-to-brown-colored solid that may be in crystals or flakes and smells like turpentine. It is an insecticide used to control insects on grains, tea, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton. In the United States, endosulfan is mainly applied to tobacco and fruit crops. It is also used as a wood preservative.
Endosulfan is sold as a mixture of two different forms of the same chemical (alpha- and beta-endosulfan). It has not been produced in the United States since 1982; however, it is still used here to produce other chemicals.
What happens to endosulfan when it enters the environment?
How might I be exposed to endosulfan?
How can endosulfan affect my health?
Endosulfan mainly affects the central nervous system. Accidental ingestion and breathing of high levels of endosulfan results in convulsions and death. Hyperactivity, tremors, decreased respiration, and salivation have also been noted in people who ingested high levels of it.
These levels are many thousands of times higher than the average exposure. We don't know the effects from long-term exposure to low levels of endosulfan.
Animal studies have shown effects on the kidneys, testes, developing fetus, and liver from longer-term exposure to low levels of endosulfan. The ability of animals to fight infection was also lowered.
How likely is endosulfan to cause cancer?
The Department of Health and Human Services has not classified endosulfan as to its human carcinogenicity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also have not classified endosulfan as to its human carcinogenicity.
Animal studies have not shown that endosulfan causes cancer, and no studies in people are available.
Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to endosulfan?
Tests are available to measure endosulfan levels in the body. These tests measure endosulfan in blood, urine, and body tissues.
Because endosulfan leaves the body fairly quickly, these methods are useful only for finding exposures that have occurred within the last few days.
These tests are not usually available in your doctor's office. However, a sample taken in the doctor's office can be shipped to a special laboratory if necessary.
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
The EPA recommends that the amount of endosulfan in lakes, rivers, and streams should not be more than 74 parts endosulfan per billion parts of water (74 ppb).
The EPA allows no more than 0.1 to 2.0 parts of endosulfan to 1 million parts of food (0.1-2.0 ppm), depending on the type of food product.
The EPA requires that discharges or spills into the environment of 1 pound or more of endosulfan be reported.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows no more than 24 parts of endosulfan to 1 million parts of dried tea (24 ppm).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set an occupational exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams endosulfan per cubic meter (0.1 mg/m³) of air for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) have established the same guidelines as OSHA for the workplace. These agencies have advised that eye and skin contact should be avoided because this may be a route of significant exposure.
Glossary
Where can I get more information?
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can
recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact
your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.
For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-800-447-1544
FAX: 404-639-6315
U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry