| β-hexachlorocyclohexane | |
|---|---|
|
β-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane |
|
|
Other names
β-HCH |
|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 319-85-7 |
| ChemSpider | 10468512 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:28428 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL389022 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C6H6Cl6 |
| Molar mass | 290.83 g/mol |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
|
| Infobox references | |
β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is an organochloride which is one of the isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH).[1] It is a byproduct of the production of the insecticide lindane (γ-HCH). It is typically constitutes 5-14% of technical grade lindane,[2] though it has not been produced or used in the United States for more than 20 years.[1]
This pesticide was widely used during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly on cotton plants. Although banned as a pesticide more than 30 years ago, traces of beta-HCH can still be found in water and soil. Animal studies show that organochlorine pesticides, including beta-HCH, are neurotoxic, cause oxidative stress, and damage the brain's dopaminergic system. Human studies show that exposure to beta-HCH is linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease [3]. Beta-HCH was present in elevated levels in some patients as recently as 2009.