Toxaphene is a pesticide that has dangerous harms to the environment and human and animal health. Toxaphene was a widely used pesticide for cotton, crops, and livestock. By 1990, all uses of toxaphene were cancelled in the United States. The major effect to human health from exposure to toxaphene is central nervous system stimulation, which results in seizures. A more longterm effect from inhalation exposure of toxaphene is respiratory toxicity. Oral exposure in animals can result in damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, ect. Although Toxaphene has been banned for nearly 30 years, there are still presence of the pesticide in the environment today.

In 2015, the EPA and Hercules Inc. agreed on a plan for cleanup of the remaining toxaphene that was contaminating the creeks and marshes surrounding the Pinova chemical plant. A large part of the remaining concentrations of toxaphene show up in the sediments and fish tissues, this is most likely a result of the outfall ditch. A plan was created for Hercules Inc. to build a lined outfall ditch that will direct the flow of the canal away permanently. The material used would be added and compacted slowly which would burry the sediment and toxaphene under layers of clean earth. However, this brings up a concern of potential contamination of groundwater. The EPA and Hercules Inc. will continue to discuss plans for next steps before going through with one. Although the toxaphene is still present in bodies of water, there is progress being made to rid of the pesticide.

Resources

Dickson, Terry. “Hercules, EPA Agree on Second Cleanup of Toxaphene Contamination of Terry Creek.” The Florida Times-Union, The Florida Times-Union, 12 Dec. 2015, www.jacksonville.com/article/20151212/NEWS/801258917.