Heptachlor-epoxide
Heptachlor-epoxide is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Chemical identity and properties

Heptachlor Epoxide
Heptachlor Epoxide can cause cancer according to an independent committee of scientific and health experts. — California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
- IUPAC name
- (1S,2R,3S,5S,6R,7S,8R)-1,6,8,9,10,11,11-heptachloro-4-oxatetracyclo[6.2.1.02,7.03,5]undec-9-ene
- Molecular formula
- C10H5Cl7O
- Molecular weight
- 389.3 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 387.813059 Da
- XLogP3
- 3.7
- Topological polar surface area
- 12.5 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 1
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 7
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
Evidence from additional scientific databases
EMBL-EBI ChEBI
Heptachlor epoxide
- Formula
- C10H5Cl7O
- Average mass
- 389.320 g/mol
- Monoisotopic mass
- 385.81601 Da
- Formal charge
- 0
- oxanes — is a (CHEBI:46942)
- oxanes — is a (CHEBI:46942)
Additional curated names
Cross-references from this source
- CAS: 1024-57-3 — KEGG COMPOUND
- MANUAL_X_REF: C14327 — KEGG COMPOUND
Mapped by: Exact CAS cross-reference in the ChEBI compound record. Source updated: 2014-07-28. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- LogP: log Kow= 5.40 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 160-161.5 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 160 °C Source: PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
- Physical Description: Heptachlor epoxide appears as a degradation product of heptachlor that occurs in soil and in or on crops when treatments with heptachlor, an insecticide, have been made. Forms readily upon exposing heptachlor to air. Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Physical Description: Crystalline solid; [MSDSonline] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Solubility: 0.350 PPM IN WATER Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Carcinogen Classification: No indication of carcinogenicity (not listed by IARC). (L135) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Exposure Routes: Oral (L118) ; inhalation (L118) ; dermal (L118) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- First Aid: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.; SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.; INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknow Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- GHS Hazard Statements: H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H351: Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]; H373 **: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H300 (58.3%): Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H301 (41.7%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H351 (100%): Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]; H373 (100%): May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H400 (100%): Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410 (100%): Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 12 reports by companies from 6 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H300: Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H351: Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H300: Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H351: Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P270, P280, P301+P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- Health Effects: Exposure to heptachlor epoxide may cause damage to liver, nervous system, and immune system. (L118) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Target Organs: Hepatic Source: EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
- Toxicity Summary: Heptachlor epoxide is a central nervous system stimulant. It non-competitively blocks neurotransmitter action at gamma-amino butyric acid receptors, resulting in overstimulation of the nervous system. Heptachlor epoxide is also believed to exert carcinogenic effects by activating key kinases in signalling pathways and inhibiting apoptosis. (L118, A81, A82) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: EIGHT PESTICIDES, INCLUDING HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE, WERE BIOCONCENTRATED IN THE FAT OF CLAMS IMPLANTED IN CAGES ANCHORED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE KASKASKIA RIVER NEAR TUSCOLA, ILLINOIS OVER 72 DAYS. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: STUDY PLOTS WERE TREATED AT 0.56, 2.24, OR 8.97 KG ACTIVE INGREDIENT/HA WITH HEPTACHLOR. EARTHWORMS & SOILS WERE SAMPLED FROM EACH PLOT WHEN TREATED & 0.5 TO 24 MO THEREAFTER. IN SOILS & EARTHWORMS, HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE 2 YR STUDY. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: ... /IT PASSES/ THROUGH FOOD CHAINS & UNDERGOES BIOLOGIC MAGNIFICATION. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: Heptachlor exhibits a tendency for bioaccumulation, with bioconcentration factors on the order of 1X10+4 for several organisms. ... /Heptachlor/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: The bioconcentration of heptachlor epoxide in freshwater clam (Corbicula manilensis) fat was 2330 as determined in a 72 day experiment(1). In fathead minnows the BCF was 14400 as determined in a 32 day test in a flow-through aquarium(2). The steady state BCF for sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), mussels (Mytilus edulis), and oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is 4500, 2900, 1700, and 851, respectively(3). In a 33 day model ecosystem, the BCF was 4900 in fish (Gambusia), 66000 in snail (Physa), and 1600 in alga (Oedogonium)(6). Based on the log octanol/water partition coefficient of 5.40(4), one would estimate a BCF of 7500 in fish using a recommended regression equation(5,SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: LABELED HEPTACHLOR WAS APPLIED TO ... SOIL. ANALYSES ... INDICATED PRESENCE OF 1-HYDROXYCHLORDENE, HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE & A METABOLITE LESS HYDROPHILIC THAN HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Heptachlor epoxide adsorbs strongly to soil and is extemely resistant to biodegradation. Monitoring studies reveal that it persists for many years in soil and does not appear to leach significantly into the lower soil layers. On the soil surface, heptachlor epoxide may slowly photodegrade, particularly during the summer months (1% per month). Heptachlor epoxide loss from soil in a microagricultural chamber is observed after application, but the rate of loss decreases over the course of a few days. This loss may be due to volatilization or photolysis of the chemical from the surface microlayer. (SRC) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: If released into water, heptachlor epoxide will adsorb strongly to suspended and bottom sediment. Little biodegradation would be expected and photolysis probably would only be significant in surface waters in the presence of photosensitizers. While slow volatilization of the free molecule (half-life 60 hr from a model river) would be expected, since heptachlor epoxide would be mainly adsorbed to particulate matter, this would not be a primary loss mechanism. No measureable degradation occurred when 10 ppb of heptachlor epoxide was incubated in water of the Little Miami River, a stream receiving domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes, for 8 wks in sealed jars under sunlight and artificial lights(1). Heptachlor epoxide was very persistant in a model ecosystem, having approximately the same environmental stability as dieldrin(2). Its estimated half-life in the lower Rhine River based on concentration differences between sampling points was 35 days(3). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based upon the vapor pressure, heptachlor epoxide is expected to exist in both vapor and particulate phases in ambient air. In the atmosphere, vapor phases reactions with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals may be an important fate process. The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of heptachlor epoxide with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated to be 1.09X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C, which corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 1.5 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). Heptachlor epoxide that is associated with particulate matter and aerosols and should be subject to gravitational settling and washout by rain. Contamination of lakes with heptachlor epoxide is believed to occur primarily by wet deposition. Under the proper conditions, heptachlor epoxide bearing dust can be transported for thousands of miles. Photolysis would be expected to occur but there are no data on the extent of heptachlor epoxide degradation in dispersed dust and aerosols(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Sources/Uses: An environmental contaminant; Not available as a commercial product; [ACGIH] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Farming (Pesticides) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: ... NOT AVAIL AS COMMERCIAL PRODUCT IN USA, & IT IS NOT NORMALLY PRESENT IN COMMERCIAL HEPTACHLOR ... /SRP: HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE IS FORMED FROM HEPTACHLOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT/. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Heptachlor epoxide is a chemical produced when heptachlor is broken down by bacteria and animals. Heptachlor was originally widely produced as an insecticide, but is now used only in fire and control in underground transformers. (L118) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| EMBL-EBI ChEBI | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
Heptachlor-epoxide
Chemical / IUPAC name
2,3-epoxy-1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindane
Regulatory information
SCCS opinions
- Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EECC
- Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EEC
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 2 | ✓ | — | — |
Key data
Related records for Heptachlor-epoxide
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
Disodium[5-[[4'-[[2,6-dihydroxy-3-[(2-hydroxy-5-sulphophenyl)azo]phenyl]azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]az…
Tetrasodium 3,3'-[[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(azo)]bis[5-amino-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulphona…
2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
What Annex II means for Heptachlor-epoxide
Heptachlor-epoxide is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.
Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.
The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
- Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
- Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
- This substance has CMR classification. Review the CMR table above and verify current Annex II/III status before use.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex II record Heptachlor-epoxide
This page summarizes one Annex II record for Heptachlor-epoxide from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for Heptachlor-epoxide, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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