Hexachlorobenzene facts for kids

Hexachlorobenzene is a chemical compound that looks a lot like benzene, but instead of hydrogen atoms, it has chlorine atoms. It's a colorless powder that was made using a special process called catalysis.

This chemical was once used as a fungicide, which is a substance that kills fungi. It was mainly used to treat cereal crops, like wheat and corn, to protect them from diseases. However, Hexachlorobenzene caused serious health problems for people who ate food treated with it. Because of these dangers, an international agreement called the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants now bans its production and use around the world.

What is Hexachlorobenzene?

Hexachlorobenzene is a type of chemical known as an aromatic compound. This means its atoms are arranged in a special ring shape. In this case, it's a six-carbon ring, with each carbon atom connected to a chlorine atom.

How it was made

This chemical was typically produced using a process called catalysis. This involves using a substance like Iron(III) chloride to speed up the chemical reaction. It could also be made from another chemical called Hexachlorocyclohexane.

Why it's not used anymore

For many years, Hexachlorobenzene was a common fungicide, especially for protecting cereal crops. Farmers would use it to treat seeds or plants to prevent fungal infections.

Health concerns

The main reason Hexachlorobenzene is no longer used is because it was found to be very harmful to people. Some people who ate food that had been treated with this chemical became very ill. Scientists and doctors linked these illnesses directly to the substance.

Global ban

Because of the serious health risks, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was created. This international treaty aims to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that stay in the environment for a long time and can travel far. Hexachlorobenzene is one of the chemicals listed under this convention, meaning its production and use are now forbidden in most countries.

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