report banner
EWG HOME   |   TEST RESULTS   |   REPORT CONTENTS  


test results
guest commentary content index peer statement



FULL REPORT

 

News Release

1: Executive summary

2: Babies are vulnerable to chemical harm

3: Human health problems on the rise

4: Recommendations



 

Detailed findings

Methodology

Questions and Answers

References

About This Report

Printer-Friendly Version (PDF)

Related News Coverage

Related EWG Investigations



RELATED DOCUMENTS

 

News Release: CDC Petition (21 July)

EWG Ltr to Chemical Companies (21 July)

EWG Letter to Chemical Lobby (PDF)

Chemical Lobby Response #1 (PDF)

Follow-Up Letter to Chemical Lobby (21 July)

Stmt from US Rep. Slaughter (PDF)

Stmt from Minority Leader Pelosi (PDF)




Support EWG - Donate Now



THE LATEST ON BODY BURDEN
Newsfeed from
Environmental Health News

 

 

Printable Version of This Page

 

Search www.ewg.org

Provided by Google

 

 

 
periodic graphic

  Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorobenzene was found in 10 of 10 umbilical cord blood samples from babies born in U.S. hospitals in 2004, at concentrations ranging from 1,553.0 to 4,105.9 pg/g (lipid weight, in whole blood). It was also found in 3 of 3 adult blood samples, at concentrations ranging from 11,183.7 to 24,418.7 pg/g (lipid weight, in whole blood).

Organochlorine chemical, a class largely banned in the U.S. that builds up in the body over time, linked to cancer and reproductive harm.


About Hexachlorobenzene
CAS RN118-74-1
Chemical ClassOrganochlorine Pesticide (OC)
Manufacturing/ Use Statususe/production has been voluntarily discontinued in the U.S.
Trade and product namesAmatin, Anticarie, Bent-cure, Bent-No-more, Ceku C.B., Co-op-hexa, Granero, No Bunt, Perchlorobenzene, Res-Q, Sanocide, Snieciotox
Chemical functionsfungicide
May be found in the following types of products basic chemicals , basic industry, chemical industry, food (pollutant), fungicides, hcb is a by product and incinerated as waste, intermediates , no use, used in synthesis
Usesfungicide, fungicide to control wheat bunt, insecticide, microbiocide, pollution from waste incineration and fuel combustion (e.g. coal), used to manufacture pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative
ManufacturersBayer, Dow



Priority Health Concerns for Hexachlorobenzene
Health Concern or Target OrganWeight of Evidence
Reproductive SystemProbable Effects
Birth Defects / Developmental DelaysKnown Effects
CancerProbable Effects

References for Health Effects



Suspected Health Concerns for Hexachlorobenzene
Cardiovascular System Or Blood, Skin, Brain, Nervous System, Kidney, Stomach Or Intestines, Hormone System, Female Reproductive System, Immune System

References for Health Effects



Related EWG Materials
Body Burden: The Pollution in PeopleHexachlorobenzene was found in 1 of the nine test subjects.



Regulatory Status
EPA Office of Pesticide Programsbanned in the United States