Mirex: an overview
Mirex, a chlorinated insecticide, is the active ingredient in bait used to control the imported fire ant. Prepared in 1946, mirex was first introduced for use in pesticidal formulations in 1959; mirex acts as a stomach poison. Extreme persistence in the natural environment provides an opportunity for accumulation of the food chain. No metabolism of mirex appears to take place in mammalian systems, although mirex causes liver damage and has been reported to produce hepatomas in mice. Mirex readily crosses the rat placental barrier; while no teratogenic effects are apparent, reduced litter size and a high incidence of cataracts in the offspring have been reported. An abstracted literature collection spanning the years 1947 to 1976 of 325 references has been published by Waters and Black (1976).
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- OSTI ID:
- 5037493
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 14:2; ISSN ENVRA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Mirex: a risk benefit evaluation. [A chlorinated insecticide used in the control of the imported fire ant]
Reviews of the environmental effects of pollutants. I. Mirex and Kepone. [Effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms]
Related Subjects
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CATARACTS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
FOOD CHAINS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GENETIC EFFECTS
GLANDS
HEPATOMAS
INSECTICIDES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LIVER
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
MICE
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PESTICIDES
RATS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
STOMACH
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES