Gamma Isomer Of Hexachlorocyclohexane Research Articles

Toxicological Characteristics of the Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane

Toxicological Characteristics of the Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane

Chronic Toxicity of Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane in the Albino Rat

ConclusionGamma benzene hexachloride, mixed with highly purified rations, is toxic to the weanling and adult albino rat. The addition of inositol does not alleviate the toxic symptomatology of γ-BHC.

Toxicity of Certain Synthetic Organic Compounds to Insects

THIS subject is discussed in the Canadian Journal of Research, June 1948, in a paper divided into two parts. In Parts Messrs. A. W. A. Brown, D. B. W. Robinson, N Hurtig and B. J. Werner record their result from testing the general toxicity of some 127 synthetic compounds when mixed in graded concentrations in the food of the larvæ of the housefly (Musca domestica), the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia Kuhniella) and adults of the granary weevil (Sitophilus granaria). Each compound was intimately mixed with the food medium in which each of the foregoing insects lives and feeds. The method of testing gives an overall measure of the contact, stomach, and fum-igant action of each compound without distinction as to its mode of action. The most highly toxic substances were found to be 'Gammexane' (the gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) and chlordane (obtained by the distillation of technical chlordane). The toxicity of D.D.T. was, on an average, one half of that of these two compounds. In Part 2 Messrs. A. W. A. Brown, B. J. Werner and F. E. Park record the results of their experiments regarding the direct toxicity of 91 compounds against the nymphs of the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) and of the large milk-weed bug (Oncopeltis fasciatus), continuously reared in the laboratory on seeds of Asclepias syriaca, and also adults of the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum). The compounds used were dissolved in graded concentrations in a benzine-kerosene mixture and sprayed on the insects confined in a cylindrical glass spraying tower 29 in. high. Compressed air was applied to an atomizer at a uniform pressure of 23 cm. mercury. Taking the results with the three species of insects as a whole, the highest contact toxicity was shown by 'Gammexane' and chlordane. Dinitro-o-cresol and dinitrocyclohexyl-phenol were next in order of effectiveness. The results described in the two parts of this paper are based on tests carried out at the Experimental Station, Suffield, Alberta.

TOXICITY OF SELECTED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS TO INSECTS: PART I. TESTS FOR GENERAL TOXICITY ON LARVAE OF MUSCA, TRIBOLIUM, AND EPHESTIA, AND ADULTS OF SITOPHILUS

The general toxicity of 127 synthetic organic compounds was tested against larvae of Musca domestica, Tribolium confusum, and Ephestia kuehniella, and adults of Sitophilus granarius. The compounds were mixed in the insects' food in graded concentrations, and their toxicity was assessed by determination of the median lethal concentrations (LC50) for each of the four species. The most highly toxic compounds were gammexane (the gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) and chlordane (obtained by distillation of technical chlordane). The toxicity of DDT was on the average one-half of that of the first two compounds, and it was superior to any of the 12 analogues tested. Four chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, namely hexachloropropene, hexachlorobutadiene, and the symm-and asymm-heptachloropropanes, showed a high toxicity related to their powerful fumigant action. A high level of toxicity was shown by benzyl thiocyanate and its chlorinated derivatives. The nitro compounds dinitro-o-cresol, nitrostyrene, dinitrodimethylbutane and dinitrocyclohexylphenol were especially toxic to Sitophilus adults, but were ineffective against Musca larvae. Certain aromatic semicarbazones recommended by previous workers gave disappointing results. Of 22 derivatives of morpholine tested, only three showed any degree of toxicity to the four species of insects employed.

The Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane in the Treatment of Scabies

The Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane in the Treatment of Scabies

Inhibition of the Toxicity of ‘Gammexane’ for Insects

During the course of work on the effect of ‘Gammexane’ (pure gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) on the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate by fourth-stage mosquito larvae, it was observed that the concentration of ‘Gammexane’ tolerated in the presence of fat (olive oil) was higher than that in the presence of protein or carbohydrate. Further experiments with fourth-stage larvae of Aedes œgypti and Culex fatigens confirmed this finding, and it was observed that liquid triglycerides in general provide a degree of protection for larvae against ‘Gammexane’. The findings of Buxton1 and Upholt2 indicate that this may be a similar phenomenon to that which results in the inactivation of D.D.T. when applied as a larvicide under natural conditions, suggested by Upholt to be due to adsorption by the organic constituents of mud.

Control of Boophilus australis in the Argentine by the Gamma Isomer of Hexachlorocyclohexane ('Gammexane')

DURING the last ten years or so, difficulties have been experienced in the Argentine in obtaining complete control of the common cattle tick, Boophilus australis (syn. microplus). Similar difficulties have been observed in other countries, especially South Africa, where arsenical resistance is stated to have been proved.