Chlordane sales halted.

Chlordane sales halted

Sales of chlordane, heptachlor and related cyclodiene insecticides will end immediately, John A. Moore, the EPA's assistant administrator for pesticides and toxic substances, announced this week. Since the mid-1970s, only termite-control companies have been permitted to use the chemicals. The action results largely from an agreement between EPA and Velsicol Chemical Corp. in Rosemont, Ill., the sole maker of chlordane and heptachlor. It was prompted by new data provided by Velsicol showing that these compounds can contaminate household air for at least a year.

Because the chemicals cause liver disease and adverse neurologic effects in exposed animals, and are suspected human carcinogens, EPA canceled most uses of them in the 1970s. Use against termites was excepted because of a lack of effective alternatives. But the new data and the availability of alternate termiticides--some registered just this year--have now led EPA to end most remaining uses. All applications within or under the perimeter of inhabited structures are permanently suspended, for example. If Velsicol can show that applying these chemicals outside the perimeter of homes will not contaminate indoor air for at least two years, such uses may be approved in the future.