GLOBAL USAGE OF TOXAPHENE

In order to interpret present and predict future environmental concentrations of persistent organochlorine pesticides in remote regions information on historical and future trends in emissions and use of these compounds on a global scale is required. Through contact with international agencies, literature surveys and other means information on registration status, trends in regional use/emissions, mode and time of application as well as representative soil concentrations of ten pesticides are been compiled. Data of global toxaphene usage were collected for more than 50 countries around world. The accounted for cumulative global toxaphene usage were estimated to be 450,000 tonnes, the interpolated usage from 1950 to 1993 were 1,330,000 tonnes and from 1970 to 1993 were 670,000 tonnes. Toxaphene is still being in applied eg. in former Soviet Union and in Mexico. International cooperation and improved record keeping by governments are required to improve the estimates.