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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Toxaphene. It is 

one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter 

version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important because this substance may 

harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you 

are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. For more information, 

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. 

This public health statement tells you about toxaphene and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the 

nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term 

federal clean-up activities. Toxaphene has been found in at least 68 of the 1,699 current or former NPL 

sites, respectively. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the 

possibility exists that the number of sites at which toxaphene is found may increase in the future as more 

sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and 

exposure to this substance may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to toxaphene, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These factors 

include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must 

also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and 

state of health. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

1.1 WHAT IS TOXAPHENE? 

Chlorinated camphene Toxaphene is made by reacting chlorine gas 

with a substance called camphene. The 

resulting product (toxaphene) is a mixture of 

hundreds of different chlorinated camphenes 

and related chemicals. 

Manufactured insecticide Toxaphene was one of the most heavily used 

pesticides in the United States in the 1970s 

and early 1980s. It was used primarily to 

control insect pests on cotton and other crops 

in the southern United States. Other uses 

included controlling insect pests on livestock 

and killing unwanted fish in lakes. 

Banned for all registered uses in the United 

States 

Toxaphene was banned for all registered uses 

by 1990. 

Form Toxaphene is usually found as a solid or gas. 

In its original form, toxaphene is a yellow to 

amber waxy solid that has a piney odor. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO TOXAPHENE WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
 

Movement between air, water, soil, and 

sediment 

When toxaphene is released to the 

environment, it can enter the air (by 

evaporation), the soil (by sticking to soil 

particles), and the water (from runoff after 

rains). Toxaphene does not dissolve well and 

evaporates easly. Toxaphene is more likely to 

be found in air, soil, or the sediment at the 

bottom of lakes and streams. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

Breaks down slowly Once toxaphene is in the environment, it can 

last for many years because it breaks down very 

slowly. 

Transported by air over long distances Toxaphene has been found in water, soil, 

sediment, air, and animals in places far from 

where it has been used. This shows that 

toxaphene can be carried long distances by the 

air. 

Bioccumulates Toxaphene levels may be high in some 

predatory fish and mammals because 

toxaphene accumulates in fatty tissues. Even 

when levels are low or confined to a certain 

area, they could be high in individual animals. 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO TOXAPHENE? 

Hazardous waste sites People living near a location with heavy 

toxaphene contamination, such as a hazardous 

waste site, may be exposed to higher levels 

through breathing contaminated air or through 

direct skin contact with contaminated soil or 

water. 

Eating contaminated soil Infants and toddlers, who are likely to put things 

in their mouth, may be exposed to toxaphene by 

eating contaminated soil. 

Eating fish, shellfish, and wild game People who eat large quantities of fish, shellfish, 

or wild game animals from areas contaminated 

by toxaphene may have higher exposure to this 

substance since these animals tend to 

concentrate toxaphene in their fatty tissues. 

Drinking water Individuals may be exposed to toxaphene 

through drinking water contaminated with 

toxaphene runoff from contaminated soils. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

1.4 HOW CAN TOXAPHENE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY?
 

May enter your body through food, drinking 

water, breathing, and skin contact 

Toxaphene can enter your body if you eat food 

contaminated with toxaphene, such as fish 

caught from water where toxaphene is present. 

Toxaphene in drinking water can similarly enter 

your body, although when toxaphene has been 

detected in drinking water, levels have been 

generally more than 1,000 times lower than 

levels measured in toxaphene-contaminated 

food. Toxaphene could enter your body if it 

were to come into contact with your skin (for 

example, by bathing or showering in water 

contaminated with the chemical) or if you were 

to breathe air containing toxaphene. 

Leave through bodily fluids Toxaphene is quickly broken down into other 

substances in your body. Toxaphene and its 

breakdown products leave your body mostly in 

urine and feces. Small amounts may leave 

through breast milk and exhaled air. 

1.5 HOW CAN TOXAPHENE AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

Nervous system Convulsions were experienced by some people 

who accidentally or intentionally swallowed 

large amounts of toxaphene, including three 

women who ate collard greens contaminated 

with toxaphene. However, since toxaphene is 

no longer used as a pesticide, you would not 

likely eat enough toxaphene-contaminated food 

to affect your nervous system in this way. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

Effects on the immune system have been 

observed in laboratory studies of animals that 

were given toxaphene by mouth in amounts 

that you would not likely get by eating food or 

drinking water containing toxaphene. 

Immune system 

Toxaphene temporarily damaged the liver of a 

man who attempted suicide by drinking a large 

amount of an insecticide that contained 

toxaphene. Liver damage was seen in 

laboratory studies of animals that were given 

toxaphene by mouth in amounts that you would 

not likely get by eating food or drinking water 

containing toxaphene. 

Liver 

Toxaphene temporarily damaged the kidneys of 

a man who attempted suicide by drinking a 

large amount of an insecticide that contained 

toxaphene. Swollen kidneys were seen in a 

small boy who died after drinking a large 

amount of toxaphene. Kidney damage was 

seen in laboratory studies of animals that were 

given toxaphene by mouth in amounts that you 

would not likely get by eating food or drinking 

water containing toxaphene. 

Kidneys 

Toxaphene caused liver cancer in mice and 

possibly thyroid cancer in rats that were given 

toxaphene by mouth in large amounts that you 

would not likely get by eating food or drinking 

water containing toxaphene. We do not know 

whether toxaphene would cause cancer in 

humans. However, based on animal studies, 

the Department of Health and Human Services 

(DHHS) has determined that toxaphene may 

reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. 

The International Agency for Research on 

Cancer (IARC) has determined that toxaphene 

is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The EPA 

has determined that toxaphene is a probable 

human carcinogen. 

Cancer 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

1.6 HOW CAN TOXAPHENE AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children Toxaphene would be expected to affect children 

in the same manner as adults. It is not known 

whether children are more susceptible than 

adults to the effects of toxaphene. 

Developmental effects A few studies in animals have shown minor 

changes in fetal development. We do not know 

if toxaphene would cause developmental effects 

in humans. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO TOXAPHENE?
 

Reduce consumption of foods and drinking 

water that contain toxaphene 

For people who live in areas where surface 

waters (lakes) have been contaminated with 

toxaphene, consumption of toxaphenecontaminated foods such as fish may need to 

be reduced. Also, do not drink water that has 

been contaminated with toxaphene. 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO 

TOXAPHENE? 

Can be measured in blood and urine Toxaphene and some of its breakdown products 

can be measured in blood and urine. However, 

it is not likely that you would be exposed to 

enough toxaphene to affect your health. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels. These are levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value. This critical value is usually based 

on levels that affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes 

these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times 

(an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

Some regulations and recommendations for toxaphene include the following: 

Levels in drinking water set by EPA The EPA has determined that exposure to 

toxaphene in drinking water at concentrations of 

0.004 mg/L for up to 10 days is not expected to 

cause any adverse effects in a child. 

The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure 

to 0.01 mg/L toxaphene in the drinking water is 

not expected to cause any adverse noncancer 

effects if the only source of exposure to 

toxaphene is the drinking water. 

EPA established a maximum contaminant level 

(MCL) of 0.003 mg/L for toxaphene in drinking 

water. 

Bottled water The FDA has determined that the concentration 

of toxaphene in bottled drinking water should 

not exceed 0.003 mg/L. 

Levels in workplace air set by OSHA OSHA set a legal limit of 0.5 mg/m3

 for 

toxaphene in air averaged over an 8-hour work 

day. 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and technical 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Toxaphene 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2010 

assistance number at 1-800-CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing 

to: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine 

 1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-62 

 Atlanta, GA 30333

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178
 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road

 Springfield, VA 22161

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000
 

Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/
 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov