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| Methoxychlor | |
|---|---|
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| IUPAC name | 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethane |
| Other names | Methoxcide Dimethoxy-DDT Methoxy-DDT |
| Abbreviations | DMDT |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 72-43-5 |
| PubChem | |
| SMILES |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C16H15Cl3O2 |
| Molar mass | 345.65 g mol−1 |
| Melting point |
87 °C, 360 K, 189 °F |
| Boiling point |
decomposes |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Methoxychlor is a synthetic organochlorine used as an insecticide.
Contents |
Usage
Methoxychlor is used to protect crops, ornamentals, livestock, and pets against fleas, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and other insects. It has been used to some degree as a replacement for DDT as it is metabolized faster and does not lead to bioaccumulation.
The amount of methoxychlor in the environment changes seasonally due to its use in farming and foresting. It does not dissolve readily in water, so it is mixed with a petroleum-based fluid and sprayed, or used as a dust. Sprayed methoxychlor settles on the ground or in aquatic ecosystems, where it can be found in sediments. Its degradation may take many months. Methoxychlor is ingested and absorbed by living organisms, but it is readily released, and does not accumulate in the food chain. Some metabolites may have unwanted side effects.
Human exposure
Human exposure to methoxychlor occurs via air, soil, and water1, primarily in people who work with the substance or who are exposed to air, soil, or water that has been contaminated. It is unkown how quickly and efficiently the substance is absorbed by humans who habe been exposed to contaminated air or via skin contact.1 In high doses the agent can lead to neurotoxicity as observed in animal experiments.1 Some of the agent's metabolites have estrogenic effect as shown in adult and developing animals before and after birth1 One studied metabolite is 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)- 1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) which is considered to have reproductive toxicity in the animal model by reducing testosterone biosynthesis.23 Such effects adversely affect the both the male and female reproductive systems. It is expected that this "could occur in humans" but has not been proven.1 While one study has linked methoxychlor to the development of leukemia in humans, most studies in animals and humans have been negative, thus the EPA has determined that it is not classifiable as a carcinogen. The EPA indicates that levels above the Maximum Contaminant Level of 40 ppb "cause" central nervous depression, diarrhea, damage to liver, kidney, and heart, and - by chronic exposure - growth retardation.4
Little information is available regarding effects on human pregnancy and children, but it is assumed from animals studies that methoxychlor crosses the placenta, and it has been detected in human milk1 Exposure to children may be different than in adults because they tend to play on the ground, further, their reproductive system may be more sensitive to the effects of methoxychlor as an endocrine disruptor.
Food contamination may occur at low levels and it is recommended to wash all foods.1. A number of hazardous waste sites are known to contain methoxychlor.
Labeling
Methoxychlor is not considered to be carcinogenic or teratogenic.
The EPA has labeled methoxychlor to be in the Toxicity Class IV which contains agents that are considered practically nontoxic and require no signal word. As such it is available as a General Use Pesticide (GUP). For drinking water, the EPA established 40ppb as the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
Tradenames for methoxychlor include Chemform, Maralate, Methoxo, Methoxcide, Metox, and Moxie.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g ATSDR (September, 2002). "Public Health Statement about Methoxychlor"., accessed 08-22-2008
- ^ Akingbemi BT et al.. "A Metabolite of Methoxychlor, 2,2-Bis(p-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Reduces Testosterone Biosynthesis in Rat Leydig Cells Through Suppression of Steady-State Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels of the Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme". Biology of Reproduction 2000;62;571-578. http://www.biolreprod.org/cgi/content/full/62/3/571?maxtoshow=&HITS=&hits=&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Benson+T.+Akingbemi+&searchid=1&volume=62&issue=3&resourcetype=HWCIT
- ^ Cummings AW. "Methoxychlor as a model for environmental estrogens.". Crit Rev Toxicol 1997;27:367-79. PMID 9263644
- ^ EPA (11-26-2006). "Consumer Factsheet on: METHOXYCHLOR".
See also
External links
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 29 November 2008, at 22:22.
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