Substance profile
Heptachlor
Heptachlor is a white to light tan waxy solid with a camphor-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Heptachlor is
Heptachlor is a white to light tan waxy solid with a camphor-like odor. Its molecular formula is C10H5Cl7 and its molecular weight is 373.3 g/mol. It boils at 145 °C, melts at 95 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Heptachlor identifiers and molecular data
Heptachlor CAS number and EC number
Heptachlor molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Heptachlor
- heptachlor (ISO)
- 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene
03 · GHS classification
Heptachlor hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Heptachlor pictograms and signal word
Heptachlor hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H301 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H311 | GHS06 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 2 | H351 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 2 | H373 | GHS08 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H410 | GHS09 |
Heptachlor hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Heptachlor. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Heptachlor
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Heptachlor issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Heptachlor precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 15 precautionary statements to Heptachlor. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Heptachlor name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | хептахлор (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-хептахлоро-3a,4,7,7a-тетрахидро-4,7-метаноинден |
| Spanish español | Heptacloro (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptacloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoindeno |
| Czech čeština | heptachlor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachlor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1 H -4,7-methanoinden |
| Danish dansk | heptachlor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachlor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoinden |
| German Deutsch | Heptachlor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-Heptachlor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoinden |
| Estonian eesti | heptakloor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptakloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahüdro-4,7-metanoindeen |
| Greek ελληνικά | heptachlor (επταχλώριο) (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-επταχλωρο-3a,4,7,7a-τετραϋδρο-4,7-μεθανοϊνδένιο |
| English English | heptachlor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene |
| French français | heptachlore (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tétrahydro-4,7-méthanoindène |
| Croatian hrvatski | heptaklor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptaklor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoinden |
| Italian italiano | eptacloro (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8- eptacloro - 3a,4,7,7a-tetraidro-4,7-metanoindene |
| Latvian latviešu | heptahlors (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptahlor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoindēns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | heptachloras (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachlor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoindenas |
| Hungarian magyar | heptaklór (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptaklór-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoindén |
| Maltese Malti | ettaklor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-ettakloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetraidro-4,7-metanoinden |
| Dutch Nederlands | heptachloor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoïndeen |
| Polish polski | heptachlor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-metanoinden |
| Portuguese português | heptacloro (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptacloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetra-hidro-4,7-metanoindeno |
| Romanian română | heptaclor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptacloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoinden |
| Slovak slovenčina | heptachlór (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachlór-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-metanoindén |
| Slovenian slovenščina | heptaklor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptakloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahidro-4,7-metanoinden |
| Finnish suomi | heptakloori (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptakloori-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-metanoindeeni |
| Swedish svenska | heptaklor (ISO) 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptaklor-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-metanoinden |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Heptachlor GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Heptachlor, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Heptachlor
- Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Toxic in contact with skin.
- Toxic if swallowed.
- May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Heptachlor in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Heptachlor health hazards and exposure limits
Heptachlor hazard summary
Heptachlor was used as an insecticide; however, nearly all registered uses of heptachlor have been canceled. Very limited information is available on the health effects of heptachlor in humans. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to heptachlor may result in nervous system effects, with oral studies showing gastrointestinal effects. Animal studies have reported effects on the liver and central nervous system from oral exposure. Chronic (long-term) inhalation and oral exposure by humans may be associated with neurological effects including irritability, salivation, and dizziness, while oral exposure may result in effects on the blood. Human studies are inconclusive regarding heptachlor and cancer. Animal oral studies have reported liver tumors. EPA has classified heptachlor as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Heptachlor carcinogenicity classification
Studied by the US National Toxicology Program: TR-009: Bioassay of Heptachlor for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 76-44-8) (1977 )
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of chlordane and heptachlor. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of chlordane and heptachlor. Overall evaluation: Chlordane and heptachlor are possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Cancer Classification: Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Heptachlor occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 0.5 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 0.5 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 0.5 mg/m3 [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.5 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca TWA 0.5 mg/m3 [skin] See Appendix A | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 35 mg/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 35.0 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | NIOSH considers heptachlor to be a potential occupational carcinogen. [35 mg/cu m] | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Heptachlor properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Heptachlor boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 145 °C (293 °F) | decomposes | NIOSH |
| 145 °C (293 °F) | at 1.5 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
Heptachlor melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 95 °C (203 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 95.5 °C (203.9 °F) | DOE PAC |
Heptachlor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.66 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.6 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.66 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Heptachlor solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in hexane. | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol, ligroin | HSDB | ||
| g/100 ml solvent @ 27 °C: acetone 75, benzene 106, carbon tetrachloride 112, cyclohexanone 119, alcohol 4.5, xylene 102 | at 27 °C | HSDB |
Heptachlor vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.0004 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.0003 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH |
Heptachlor lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Heptachlor is not combustible, but may be dissolved in flammable liquids. | HSDB | |
| Noncombustible Solid, but may be dissolved in flammable liquids. | NIOSH |
Heptachlor odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 0.02 PPM | HSDB |
Heptachlor corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metals. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Heptachlor fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Heptachlor fire potential
Non-combustible
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Heptachlor storage and handling
Heptachlor safe storage
Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from strong oxidants, metals and food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Dry. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Heptachlor storage conditions
Protect containers against physical damage. Outdoor or detached storage is preferred; in case of indoor storage, cool, well-ventilated, fire-proof place should be used and kept away from source of ignition.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Heptachlor incompatible materials
Heptachlor can react with iron and rust to form ... hydrogen chloride gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Heptachlor reactivity
HEPTACHLOR is incompatible with strong alkalis. Corrosive to metals. Can react with iron and rust to form toxic gases. Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Susceptible to epoxidation (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Heptachlor in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Heptachlor — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Heptachlor?
The CAS number of Heptachlor is 76-44-8. Its EC number is 200-962-3.
What is the chemical formula of Heptachlor?
The molecular formula of Heptachlor is C10H5Cl7 and its molecular weight is 373.3 g/mol.
What does a Heptachlor label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Heptachlor carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Heptachlor flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Heptachlor no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it.
Is Heptachlor a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns Heptachlor H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Heptachlor?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Heptachlor is 0.5 [mg/m3] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Heptachlor?
The boiling point reported for Heptachlor is 145 °C (293 °F), decomposes (NIOSH).
What is the melting point of Heptachlor?
The melting point reported for Heptachlor is 95 °C (203 °F) (NIOSH).
How should Heptachlor be stored?
Protect containers against physical damage. Outdoor or detached storage is preferred; in case of indoor storage, cool, well-ventilated, fire-proof place should be used and kept away from source of ignition. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
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