Toxaphene

Also known as Chlorinated camphene, toxaphene is a product of the reaction of chlorine gas with camphene. The chemical is made up of more than 670 different chemicals, which can either be in solid or gas form. Toxaphene is a solid chemical compound with the formula C₁₀H₈CI₈.

Due to its harmful effects on animals, mostly on mice and rats, the insecticide was banned in 1990 in America. Toxaphene is a persistent chemical that will be present in the environment without deteriorating, especially in the soil for 1 to 14 years.

During the late 1960s and 1970s, it was the most common insecticide used in cotton, corn, small grains, soybeans, and vegetables in the United States. It was also an important chemical used in the control of pests on poultry and livestock. In rare cases, toxaphene was used to eliminate undesirable species of fishes in bodies of water. Unfortunately, toxaphene does more harm than good to the environment, to humans, and animals. The chemical was eventually banned globally by the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Toxaphene can enter the biosphere when released either in gas or solid form. The chemical can get into the air by evaporation, into the soil by sticking to soil particles, and into the water from runoff after heavy rainfalls.

You can remove the prevalent chemical to below the MCL with the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) commonly present in most of the reliable water filter systems today. With the right filtration unit, you can rest assured you’ll eliminate the contaminant from your tap water and enjoy safe and clean drinking water for your loved ones.