The objective of this research program was to assemble and analyze the publicly-available information on the environmental effects of the two organochlorine pesticides, mirex (C10C112) and its ketone analog, Kepone (C10C112). The data base on these compounds is limited, especially with respect to Kepone, on which almost no environmental research was conducted prior to the Life Science's Products Company incident. Both of these compounds are non-volatile, have very low water solubilities, are chemically and thermally very stable, and are quite resistant to biodegradation, thus, existing environmental residues can be expected to persist for years. Neither mirex nor Kepone appreciably affects microorganisms or plants in usual environmental concentrations. Mirex does not appear to present a serious acute toxicity problem to non-target terrestrial invertebrates as a result of fire ant control efforts. Both mirex and Kepone produce adverse reproductive effects in numerous species. Mirex has been shown to induce liver tumors in mice and rats and is judged to have potential carcinogenicity, and carcinogenic properties of Kepone have been documented in mice and rats.

EPA-600/ 1-78-013.