About Heptachlor Epoxide

From The Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

CAS ID #: 76-44-8, 1024-57-3

Affected Organ Systems: Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System)

Cancer Classification: None

Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA’s IRIS Hotline with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Summary: Heptachlor is a manufactured chemical and doesn’t occur naturally. Pure heptachlor is a white powder that smells like camphor (mothballs). The less pure grade is tan. Trade names include Heptagran®, Basaklor®, Drinox®, Soleptax®, Termide®, and Velsicol 104®. Heptachlor was used extensively in the past for killing insects in homes, buildings, and on food crops, especially corn. These uses stopped in 1988. Currently it can only be used for fire ant control in power transformers. Heptachlor epoxide is also a white powder. Bacteria and animals break down heptachlor to form heptachlor epoxide. The epoxide is more likely to be found in the environment than heptachlor.