Hexachlorocyclohexane
Identifier: CID 727
URL: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/727#section=2D-Structure
Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons
Commercial production of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) started after the 2nd world war. During the process of synthesis which requires benzene and chlorine, a mixture of different isomers evolves. This so called technical HCH
consists of 65-70% α-HCH, 7-20% β-HCH, 14-15% γ-HCH, 6-10% δ-HCH , and 1-2% ε-HCH. Of all isomers, only γ-HCH has insecticidal properties. A product consisting of at least 99% γ-HCH is called Lindane.
Technical HCH has been banned in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1977 and the uses of the insecticide Lindane are restricted to date. In the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) lindane was, next to DDT, the most widely used insecticide since the 1970s. Considerable amounts of lindane were produced in the GDR itself but it was also imported from other Eastern Bloc States.
HCH contamination of the environment is a result of former uses of products containing HCH or lindane, e.g. in agriculture and forestry, in veterinary medicine and in households. Furthermore, residues from lindane production are still present in the environment. The production of one metric ton of lindane generates about nine tons of non-insecticidal isomers which were often improvidently disposed on dumping grounds.
The three main HCH-isomers alpha, beta and gamma were included in the Stockholm POP-Convention in 2009.
Recommended analysis examples
Search data
Substances
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alpha-HCHThe main constituent of technical HCH
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Lindane (gamma-HCH)Highly effective insecticide that was banned from agricultural use in 2002 and restricted in pharmaceutical use in 2007
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beta-HCHMost persistent HCH-isomer with the highest potential for biomagnification
Specimen
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Common mussel species as invasive animal in rivers and lakes with high information level for water pollution
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Bioindicator in rivers and lakes
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Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase
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One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
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As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.
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Inshore, the herring gull mainly feeds from the sea: upon fish, mussels, and crabs.
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The roe deer is the most common of the larger herbivores (first order-consumer) to be found in the wild in Europe.
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A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
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Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.
Sampling area
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The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Main water divide between the North- and Baltic Sea
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Longest river in Germany
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Germany's first national park
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.
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Fourth largest river basin in Central Europe
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
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Germany's largest forest national park
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Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany
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Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains
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The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin
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Second largest river in Europe
Sampling period
1985 - 2023
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
- " href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013L0039" target="_blank">Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013 amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy (external)
- " href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/fische-aus-mulde-elbe-kaum-noch-lindan-seinen" target="_blank">Fische aus Mulde und Elbe kaum noch mit Lindan und seinen Nebenprodukten belastet (external)