User:Aukere/sandbox

Health effects on humans
The major health effects of toxaphene involve central nervous system stimulation leading to convulsive seizures. The dose necessary to induce nonfatal convulsions in humans is about 10 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day. (8)

Several deaths linked to toxaphene have been documented in which an unknown quantity of toxaphene was ingested intentionally or accidentally from food contamination. The deaths are attributed to respiratory failure resulting from seizures. (PHG) Chronic inhalation exposure in humans results in reversible respiratory toxicity. (8)

A study conducted between 1954 and 1972 of male agricultural workers and agronomists exposed to toxaphene and other pesticides showed that there are higher proportions of bronchial carcinoma in the test group than in the unexposed general population. However, toxaphene may not have been the main pesticide responsible for tumor production. (PHG) Tests on lab animals show that toxaphene causes liver and kidney cancer, so the EPA has classified it as a Group B2 carcinogen, meaning it is a probable human carcinogen. (8)

Toxaphene can be detected in blood, urine, breast milk, and body tissues if a person has been exposed to high levels, however it is removed from the body quickly so detection has to occur within several days of exposure. (8)

It is not known whether toxaphene can affect reproduction in humans. (3)

Health effects on animals
Studies show that animals that ate food or drank water containing toxapehene had effects on the liver, kidneys, and immune system. A few animal studies have shown minor changes in fetal development. (3) Chronic oral exposure in animals affects the liver, the kidney, the spleen, the adrenal and thyroid glands, the central nervous system, and the immune system. (8)

Studies have shown that toxaphene leads to morphological changes in the thyroid, liver, and kidney. These injuries tend to be dose-dependent, becoming more severe at higher doses. Animal studies suggest that prolonged oral exposure may induce thyroid injury. Chronic exposure leads to increased incidences in thyroid follicular cell adenomas in male rats. (PHG) A report done by the NEP showed increased incidence of thyroid gland tumors in male and female rats and increased incidence of liver tumors in male and female mice when fed toxaphene in their diet. (8)

Toxaphene stimulates the central nervous system by antagonizing neurons leading to hyperpolarization of neurons and increased neuronal activity. (PHG)

A study done on dogs showed toxaphene caused renal toxicity when exposure resulted in degeneration of kidney tubules. (PHG)

Reproductive effects show that that toxaphene does not affect litter size, pup weight, fertility, or gestation and survival indices. (PHG)