Toxaphene facts for kids

Toxaphene is a very harmful chemical substance. It is known as a persistent organic pollutant, which means it stays in the environment for a long time. Toxaphene was one of the first twelve chemicals listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, an international agreement to ban dangerous chemicals.

Its use has been banned since 1993 because it is so toxic.

What is Toxaphene?

Toxaphene was a type of insecticide. An insecticide is a chemical used to kill insects. Farmers mainly used it on cotton and soybean crops to protect them from pests. It was also used to treat a skin disease called Mange in cattle.

Why is Toxaphene Dangerous?

Toxaphene is very dangerous because it can harm living things and the environment. It is a poison that can cause serious health problems.

Health Effects

When people or animals are exposed to toxaphene, it can damage their bodies. It can harm the lungs, the nervous system, and the kidneys. Toxaphene is also a carcinogen, which means it can cause cancer. It can also lead to mutations, which are changes in DNA, and birth defects in babies.

Environmental Impact

Toxaphene is very volatile. This means it can easily turn into a gas and travel through the air. Because it is also persistent, it stays in the environment for many years. This allows it to spread far from where it was first used, affecting places all over the world.

Global Ban

Due to its serious dangers, the use of toxaphene was banned in 1993. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants specifically listed toxaphene as one of the first chemicals to be eliminated worldwide. This ban helps protect people and the planet from its harmful effects.

See also

In Spanish: Toxafeno para niños