Although toxaphene is strongly adsorbed to soil, evaporation from soils may be a significant process. Field studies have shown it to be detoxified rapidly in shallow and very slowly in deep bodies of water. Toxaphene may undergo very slow direct photolysis in the atmosphere. These BCF values indicated significant bioconcentration potential. Monitoring data demonstrates that toxaphene is a contaminant in some air, water, sediment, soil, fish and other aquatic organisms, foods and birds.
Human exposure appears to come mostly from food or occupational exposure.