Organochlorine Pesticides
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A number of organochlorine chemicals were registered in Australia by the States and Territories under the original State-based registration scheme. The following paragraphs provide a brief description of organochlorine chemicals that were previously registered in Australia.
The APVMA has also prepared The History of 'Organochlorine' Pesticides In Australia to provide further information on this group of chemicals.
Aldrin
Aldrin was registered for use as a liquid wood preservative, to control borers, termites and dry rot on timber. Other uses for aldrin included as a pre-planting soil treatment for agricultural crops and as a seed treatment. Aldrin is classified as a ‘poison’ (Schedule 6) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). The registration of the last aldrin product in Australia, a termiticide, was cancelled in early 1994.
Chlordane
Chlordane was once registered for use as an insecticide, termiticide, wood preservative and herbicide. Chlordane is a restricted chemical product and is classified as a ‘poison’ (Schedule 6) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). Chlordane was nominated as a priority candidate for review when the NRA (now the APVMA) Chemical Review Program commenced in May 1995. However, a full review was not required as the registrant of the last remaining registered product withdrew their registration by mid-1997. However, a permit was in place with the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries until October 1997 so that the remaining stocks of chlordane could be used.
Chlordane was used as a liquid or emulsifiable concentrate wood preservative to control borers, termites and dry rot on timber structures. Chlordane dust was also used in domestic and public areas to control various insect pests.
DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
DDT was once registered for use as an insecticide, termiticide, fungicide and herbicide in agricultural and home garden situations. DDT products were classified as Schedule 5 (‘Caution’ signal heading) or Schedule 6 (‘Poison’ signal heading) products in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). By the end of 1990 the registrations of all DDT products had been cancelled, although the majority of products had not been used since the mid 1980’s.
DDT was used as an emulsifiable concentrate insecticide to control various insect pests on various fruit, vegetable pulse, oilseed and cereal crops as well as in forestry, pasture and turf situations. DDT was also registered for use as a dust or wettable powder to control various insect pests and fungal diseases in seedbeds and on rose bushes, and to control external insect pests on livestock.
Dieldrin
Dieldrin was once registered for use as a wood preservative, insecticide and termiticide. Dieldrin was classified as a ‘poison’ (Schedule 6) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). By the end of 1988, all dieldrin products had had their registrations cancelled in Australia.
Liquid dieldrin products were used to control insect pests such as borers and termites as well as fungal degradation in timber structures, floorboards, tree stumps and furniture. Dieldrin was also used in emulsifiable concentrates, liquid concentrates and dusts to control termites and ants in domestic, industrial and agricultural situations. In agriculture it had reasonably extensive use in the control of various insect pests on a wide range of crops and livestock, including the control of wireworms and other insect pests in onion and potato crops.
Endrin
Endrin was once registered in Australia for use as an insecticide, miticide and aviancide. Endrin was classified as a ‘dangerous poison’ (Schedule 7) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). The cancellation of the last endrin product registration had occurred by the end of 1990.
Endrin was used as an emulsifiable concentrate insecticide/miticide and as a paste to control problem bird populations.
Heptachlor
Heptachlor was once registered in Australia for use as a termiticide and insecticide. Heptachlor was classified as a ‘poison’ (Schedule 6) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP) and is a restricted chemical product. The cancellation of the majority of heptachlor product registration had occurred by the end of 1990. Its use was illegal in all States and Territories (except the Northern Territory) after July 1st 1995. The last heptachlor product was cancelled by the end of June 1997 after it was nominated as a priority candidate for review when the NRA (now APVMA) Chemical Review Program commenced in May 1995.
Heptachlor was used as an emulsifiable concentrate termiticide to prevent termite attack on timber structures in buildings. Heptachlor was also used as an insecticide and herbicide in numerous ornamental, horticultural, field and home garden crops and in turf, pastures and forage crops. Heptachlor was also used to control insect pests on animals and in milking sheds.
Hexachlorophene
Hexachlorophene was registered in Australia for use as a wound dressing and fly repellent in animals. Hexachlorophene was classified as a prescription animal remedy (Schedule 4) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). The cancellation of the last hexachlorophene product registration had occurred by the end of 1997.
Methoxychlor
Methoxychlor was registered in Australia for use as an insecticidal dog shampoo. Methoxychlor was classified as a Schedule 5 chemical (‘Caution’ signal heading) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). The only methoxychlor product registration was cancelled in mid-1987.
Mirex
Mirex was registered in Australia as a termiticide and was used for the control of termites (Mastotermes spp) in horiticultural and amenity trees. Mirex was classified as a ‘dangerous poison’ (Schedule 7) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). The registration of the only registered product Mirex ceased on 30th June 2007. A short summary of the regulatory activity with mirex can be found on the chemical review webpage of the APVMA website.
Penfenate
There is no ISO common name for this substance; the names ‘acetofenate’, ‘penfenate’ and ‘plifenate’ have been used in the literature but have no official status. There is limited published information on this chemical - it has some structural relationship to DDT but it does not appear to have its chemical stability or bioaccumulative potential.
Penfenate was registered for use in aerosols to kill flying insects. The registrations of all products were cancelled by mid-1988. Penfenate was not scheduled by the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP).