6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin,6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3,3-dioxide

Pesticide Ecotoxicity Data from EPA: 11

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), endosulfan sulfate, which has a vapor pressure of 1.0X10-11 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist in the particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase endosulfan sulfate may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for endosulfan sulfate can be estimated to be 3.2X10+4(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that endosulfan sulfate is expected to be immobile in soil.

AEROBIC: Endosulfan sulfate is the major metabolite of endosulfan on plants(1). The disappearance of endosulfan sulfate was studied after application to lentil plants in the sub-tropic region of Ludhiana, India(1). Twelve days after the application of endosulfan sulfate, only 4% still remained on the crops. The disappearance of endosulfan sulfate was due to both abiotic processes and biodegradation(1). Endosulfan sulfate degraded in four soils, a Pliocene sand, an organic-rich orchard soil, an agricultural soil and soil from a volcanic area, with a half-life in each of 164, 157, 150, and 134 days, respectively(2). The degradation of endosulfan sulfate was due to a combination of both abiotic processes and biodegradation(2). Endosulfan sulfate has been reported to be formed by metabolism...

An estimated BCF of 130 was calculated for endosulfan sulfate(SRC), using a log Kow of 3.66(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high. Endosulfan accumulated 600X in the Pelecypod, Mytilus edulis after 50 hr(4). From these results, bioconcentration of alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan and the metabolite endosulfan sulfate may be somewhat significant in aqueous species(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for endosulfan sulfate is estimated as 1.2X10-11 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) from its vapor pressure, 1.0X10-11 mm Hg(1), and water solubility, 0.48 mg/l(2). This Henry's Law constant indicates that endosulfan sulfate is not expected to volatilize from water surfaces(3). Endosulfan sulfate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 1.0X10-11 mm Hg(1).

The FDA collected and analyzed 545 domestic mixed feed rations during fiscal years 1989-1994(1). Endosulfan sulfate(along with endosulfan) was detected in 2 of the 545 samples tested ranging from 0.030-0.140 ppm(1). In a monitoring study of 448 samples of national butter brands collected from the central region of Veracuz, Mexico, endosulfan sulfate was detected at an avg concn of 0.017 mg/kg in fat basis in 10% of the samples(2). The pesticide content of 27,065 food samples from CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, NC, NY, OR, VA and WI were analyzed for pesticides during the fiscal years 1988-89(3). Endosulfan sulfate was detected in fiscal year 1988 in 0.278% of the samples with 3 samples having significantly high levels (concentration exceeded state or federal tolerance level) and in fiscal year 198...

Endosulfan sulfate was not detected in a study of 15 human milk samples from the Spanish Mediterranean coastal area and 45 infant formulas samples(1). Six samples of cow milk from various locations in Switzerland were analyzed for chlorinated contaminants(2). Endosulfan sulfate was detected in all six samples ranging from 1.3-4.8 ug/g on fat basis(2). In a monitoring study of 355 samples of cow's milk collected from the central region of Veracuz, Mexico, endosulfan sulfate was not detected(3).

The global distribution of 22 potentially harmful organochlorine compounds was investigated in more than 200 tree bark samples from 90 sites worldwide(1). Endosulfan sulfate and endosulfan were found in high concentrations in India and along the Pacific Rim due to its high use in rice cultivation(1). Other regions with detectable amounts of endosulfan sulfate and endosulfan were Scandanavia, the United States, England, Southern Australia, and South Africa(1).

Shag and cormorant eggs were collected from 3 sites off the east, south-east and south coasts of Ireland and the pesticide and PCB levels detn by gas chromatography. Of the pesticides, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDE, lindane, dieldrin, endrin, alpha-BHC, alpha-chlordane, oxychlordane, heptachlor, heptachlor-epoxide, and quintofene were detected, whereas o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDD, aldrin, endosulfan-I, endosulfan-II, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor, beta-BHC, and gamma-chlordane, were not found. /Detection level data not included in source/

Farm ditches flowing into three rivers important to fisheries in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, were sampled periodically at seven locations from July to December 1991 to determine endosulfan and its residues in ditch water and sediment(1). Endosulfan sulfate was found in soils, sediment, and water at mean concns of 1,015 ug/l, 218 ug/l, and 0.30 ug/l, respectively(1). Six sampling events (totaling 168 samples) of New York City municipal wastewaters from 1989-1993, were performed to determine the frequency of organic priority pollutants(2). Endosulfan sulfate was detected only once in 1992 at a concn ranging from 0.013-0.052 ug/l in influent water and at 0.26 ug/l in effluent(2). Influent and effluent water samples were collected from the Cedar Creek Wastewater Rec...

RURAL/REMOTE: Air samples collected from a Spanish National Park in the Pyrenees Mountains and in the surroundings of an industrial waste dump were analyzed for organochlorine compounds(1). Endosulfan sulfate was not detected in any air samples analyzed (detection limit = 1 pg/cu m)(1).

The relationship between whole-body concns of various chemicals was studied in East Fork Poplar Creek in Oak Ridge, Tennessee(1). Endosulfan sulfate was found in benthic macroinvertabrates, crayfish, stoneroller fish, and redbreast fish at an avg concn of 26.13, 49.79, 83.30, and 53.50 ug/kg, respectively(1).

Endosulfan sulfate is expected to occur in the environment as the oxidative degradation product(1-3) and as the biodegradative product(4,5) of the pesticide endosulfan. It is also formed in plants and mammals by metabolism of endosulfan(6). Endosulfan bioconcentrated in striped mullet was rapidly metabolized to endosulfan sulfate(7).

SOIL: In 1989, a study was conducted to determine the identities and concns of organochlorine pesticides in three soil types from 12 farms located in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada(1). Endosulfan sulfate was detected on all 12 farms in loamy sand, silt loam and muck soils at a mean concn of 38 ppb, 251 ppb, 3693 ppb, respectively(1). Endosulfan sulfate was detected in Canadian agricultural soils ranging from not detected-7.9 ug/kg dy weight(2). Endosulfan sulfate was detected in 1 out of 156 soil samples from Baltimore, MD in 1971 at 0.17 ppm avg dry wt of all samples(4). It was also detected in 1 out of 43 samples in Macon, GA at 2.3 ppm avg dry wt of all samples. Endosulfan sulfate was not detected in all 55 soil samples from Gadsden, AL, 48 samples from Hartford, CT or...

The general population may be exposed to endosulfan sulfate primarily via ingestion of food(1,2).

ENDOSULFAN RESIDUES WERE NONDETECTABLE (LESS THAN 0.01 PPM) IN THE 1970 & 1971 CIGARETTE TOBACCO, BUT IN 1972 THEY AVERAGED 0.4 PPM WITH 0.3 PPM AS ENDOSULFAN SULFATE, 0.1 PPM AS ENDOSULFAN II, & ONLY TRACE AMOUNTS OF ENDOSULFAN I.

Endosulfan sulfate is expected to occur in the environment as the oxidative degradation product and as the biodegradative product of the pesticide endosulfan. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 1.0X10-11 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates endosulfan sulfate will exist in the particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase endosulfan sulfate will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. It is uncertain whether endosulfan sulfate will photolyze in the ambient environment. If released to soil, endosulfan sulfate is expected to be immobile based upon an estimated Koc of 3.2X10+4. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.2X10-11 atm-cu m/mole. Endosulfan sulfate is exp...

Symptoms of endosulfan poisoning include hyperactivity, hyperreflexia, tremors, dizziness, headache, convulsions, lack of coordination, staggering, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, unconsciousness. (T10, L113, L114)

Treatment is symptomatic, aimed at controlling convulsions, coma, and respiratory depression. If ingested, gastric lavage may be performed, followed by administering activated charcoal powder. (L161)

Endosulfan is a neurotoxin and damages the central nervous system, causing effects such as intermittent muscle twitching and myoclonic jerking. Endosulfan can also damage the kidneys, testes, and liver, and may possibly affect the body's ability to fight infection. It is also an endocrine disruptor and causes reproductive and developmental damage. (T10, L113, L114)

Other Poison - Organochlorine

Oral (L114); inhalation (L114); dermal (L114)

Endosulfan sulfate antagonizes the action of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acting at the GABA-A receptors, effectively blocking the GABA-induced uptake of chloride ions. Endosulfan sulfate also inhibits Na+ K+ ATPase and Ca2+ and Mg2+ ATPase which are essential for the transport of calcium across membranes. This results in the accumulation of intracellular free calcium ions, which promotes release of neurotransmitters from storage vesicles, the subsequent depolarization of adjacent neurons, and the propagation of stimuli throughout the CNS. This results in hyperexcitation and generalized seizures. Endosulfan sulfate is also an endocrine disruptor and acts as an agonist at the progesterone receptor and estrogen receptors. (T10, L113, L114, A61, A114)

FOOD INTAKE: In the US market basket surveys, the avg daily intake of endosulfan sulfate in ug/kg body wt/day for fiscal year 1981-82 (FY81-82) was 0.022(1); for FY80, 0.004, FY79, 0.005, FY78, 0.005(2); and for FY76, 0.006(3).

Oral Subchronic Chronic Reference Dose Reference: PPRTV Current

The usual symptoms include headache, giddiness, nervousness, blurred vision, weakness, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and discomfort in the chest. Signs include sweating, miosis, tearing, salivation and other excessive respiratory tract secretion, vomiting, cyanosis, papilledema, uncontrollable muscle twitches followed by muscular weakness, convulsions, coma, loss of reflexes, and loss of sphincter control. The last four signs are seen only in severe cases but do not preclude a favorable outcome if treatment is prompt and energetic. Cardiac arrhythmias, various degrees of heart block, and cardiac arrest may occur ... /Organic phosphorus pesticides/

A temporary acceptable daily intake for man /specified by FAO/WHO/ is set at: 0-0.008 mg/kg body weight. /Total of alpha and beta-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate/

No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).

The toxicity to mice of ip administered polychlorocycloalkane insecticides is generally correlated with their potency as in vitro inhibitors of the brain specific (35)S-t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding site with correction for metabolic activation and detoxification. These findings from our earlier studies are extended here to in vivo investigations relating convulsant action to inhibition of the (35)S-t-butylbicyclophosophorothionate binding site in poisoned mice. Radioligand binding assays involved brain P2 membranes washed three times with 1 mM EDTA to remove endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid or other modulator(s) which otherwise serves as a noncompetitive inhibitor of (35)S-t-butylbicyclophosophorothionate binding at the gamma-aminobutyric acid regulated chloride ionophore....

Fraction of Contaminant Absorbed Dermally from Soil: 0.1

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or in severe respiratory distress. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... /Aldrin, dieldrin, and related compounds/

Fraction of Contaminant Absorbed Dermally from Soil: 0.1

Reference: Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP