Acute toxicity - Category 4, Oral
Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure, Category 2
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, short-term (Acute) - Category Acute 1
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H371 May cause damage to organs
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
P264 Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
P330 Rinse mouth.
P308+P316 IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.
P391 Collect spillage.
P405 Store locked up.
P501 Dispose of contents/container to an appropriate treatment and disposal facility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and product characteristics at time of disposal.
no data available
Fresh air, rest.
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .
Toxicity is relatively low. Inhalation or ingestion causes generalized depression. (USCG, 1999)
Observation. Persons exposed to high levels of organochlorine pesticides by any route should be observed for sensory disturbances, incoordination, speech slurring, mental aberrations, and involuntary motor activity that would warn of imminent convulsions. Solid organochlorine insecticides
Water, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating and toxic hydrogen chloride gas may be formed in fire. (USCG, 1999)
Use water spray, powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide.
Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into sealable containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into sealable containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a POTW is acceptable only after review by the governing authority. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must meet Hazardous Material Criteria for disposal.
NO open flames. Handling in a well ventilated place. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Use non-sparking tools. Prevent fire caused by electrostatic discharge steam.
Separated from food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room.Storage temperature: ambient
TLV: 10 mg/m3, as TWA; A4 (not classifiable as a human carcinogen).MAK: (inhalable fraction): 1 mg/m3; peak limitation category: II(8); skin absorption (H); pregnancy risk group: B
no data available
Ensure adequate ventilation. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Set up emergency exits and the risk-elimination area.
Wear safety spectacles or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.
Protective gloves. Protective clothing.
Use local exhaust or breathing protection.
no data available
Methoxychlor is a white crystalline solid which is often dissolved in a liquid carrier such as diesel oil. It can cause illness by inhalation, skin absorption and/or ingestion. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. If dissolved in a liquid carrier, it can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. It is used as a pesticide.
Colorless crystals (technical, grey powder)
Slight, fruity odor
86-88°C(lit.)
greater than or equal to 100°C.
Combustible Solid, but difficult to burn.
no data available
less than 60 degrees°C
no data available
no data available
no data available
no data available
less than 1 mg/mL at 73° F (NTP, 1992)
log Kow = 5.08
Very low (NTP, 1992)
1.4 g/cm3
12 (NTP, 1992) (Relative to Air)
no data available
NIOSH considers methoxychlor to be a potential occupational carcinogen.
Decomposes on heating and on burning. This produces toxic and corrosive gases including hydrogen chloride (see ICSC 0163). Reacts with oxidants. Attacks some plastics and rubber.
Stable to UV light.
The material is a combustible solid, but difficult to ignite.METHOXYCHLOR turns pink or tan on exposure to light. This chemical is incompatible with alkaline materials, especially in the presence of catalytically-active metals. It is slightly corrosive to iron and aluminum. It is decomposed by refluxing with sodium in isopropyl alcohol. It is also incompatible with strong oxidizers. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (NTP, 1992).
no data available
Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fires and explosions.
When heated to decomp, it emits highly toxic fumes of /hydrogen chloride/ .
no data available
no data available
no data available
no data available
Classification of carcinogenicity: 1) evidence in humans: no data; 2) evidence in animals: insufficient. Overall summary evaluation of carcinogenic risk to humans is Group 3: The agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. From table
No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of methoxychlor in humans. Methoxychlor and its metabolites possess estrogenic properties. Reproductive and developmental effects have been reported in animals orally exposed to methoxychlor. (4,6) Effects to the development of the female reproductive system, gross and histopathological changes in the male and female reproductive systems, effects on male and female reproductive function (i.e., decreased fertility in males and females, decreased spermatogenesis, and interference with estrus cycling), and changes to hormone levels have been reported in orally exposed animals. (4) In rabbits orally exposed to methoxychlor, excessive loss of litters (abortions) was observed. (6) Skeletal effects were observed in the offspring of rats exposed to methoxychlor by gavage (experimentally placing the chemical in the stomach). (4,6) Long-term oral exposure to methoxychlor has been reported to increase fetotoxicity in animals, as well as to affect the reproductive development and reduce the fertility of offspring. (4,6)
no data available
Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Evaporation at 20°C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly on spraying or when dispersed, especially if powdered.
AEROBIC: First-order rate constants of 0.001 to 0.004 (half-life of 7 to 29 days), 0.002 to 0.003 (half-life of 9.6 to 14.4 days), 0.001 to 0.006 (half-life of 4.8 to 29 days), and 0.002 to 0.004 per hour (half-life of 7 to 14.4 days) were measured for methoxychlor added to 4 different freshwaters(1). In an aerobic die-away study using water from the Santa Rosa Sound, FL, methoxychlor had a half-life of >25 days(2). In an aerobic shake-flask river die-away test, methoxychlor was biodegraded in a mixed water/sediment sample, rate not given(3). The degradation of methoxychlor in 2 sandy loam soils was dependent on water content; soils with 3% and 10% water content degraded methoxychlor to only trace amounts within 30 to 38 and 20 to 26 weeks, respectively(4). Methoxychlor applied to soil during a 2-year field study was fairly persistent; residues remaining after 1, 2, and 3 months made up 92, 38, and 27% of the original application(5). One year later, measurable concentrations of methoxychlor were still present in soil as well as products from the partial dechlorination of the parent compound(5). Second-order rate constants of 5.2X10-14 and 6.1X10-16 liters per organism-hr (half-lives of 111 and 9500 days, respectively, assuming a bacterial concentration of 5X10+9 organisms/L) were measured dependent on 15% and 90% sorption, respectively, to sediments in river die-away studies(6).
Bioconcentration factors (BCF) for methoxychlor of 8300 in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)(1) and 138 in sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)(4) have been measured in continuous flow systems. According to a classification scheme(6), these BCF values suggest that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high to very high(SRC). However, as seen in the BCF from the sheepshead minnow study, some variation between species in the ability to metabolize this compound may exist(7-9). Bioconcentration factors (BCF) for methoxychlor of 12,000 in mussel(2), 5000-8570 in snail (Physa integra), 348-1130 in stonefly (Pteronarcys dorsata)(3) and 1500 in soft clams (Mya avenaria)(5) have also been measured in continuous flow systems.
Measured average sorption coefficient (Koc) values in various pond and river sediments are as follows: 23,000 in sand, 82,000 in coarse silt, 88,000 in medium silt, 93,000 in fine silt and 83,000 in clay(1). In another study, a K value of 620 was found in a water-sediment system(2). Another study determined a K value of 2009 in soil(3). According to a classification scheme(4), these Koc values suggest that methoxychlor is expected to be immobile in soil. Mass balances in pond, river and wet sand (25% moisture) systems spiked with methoxychlor indicate that 98.6, 97.0, and 92.1%, respectively, of all methoxychlor was retained in the sediment(5).
no data available
The material can be disposed of by removal to a licensed chemical destruction plant or by controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing. Do not contaminate water, foodstuffs, feed or seed by storage or disposal. Do not discharge to sewer systems.
Containers can be triply rinsed (or equivalent) and offered for recycling or reconditioning. Alternatively, the packaging can be punctured to make it unusable for other purposes and then be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing is possible for combustible packaging materials.
ADR/RID: UN2811 (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: UN2811 (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: UN2811 (For reference only, please check.)
ADR/RID: TOXIC SOLID, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: TOXIC SOLID, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: TOXIC SOLID, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (For reference only, please check.)
ADR/RID: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
ADR/RID: I (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: I (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: I (For reference only, please check.)
ADR/RID: Yes
IMDG: Yes
IATA: Yes
no data available
no data available
Ingestion in large amounts may cause effects on the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.Temperature of decomposition is unknown in the literature.Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested.If the substance is formulated with solvent(s) also consult the card(s) (ICSC) of the solvent(s).Carrier solvents used in commercial formulations may change physical and toxicological properties.See ICSC 0034.