TOXAPHENE Meaning and
Definition
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Toxaphene is a highly toxic and persistent synthetic pesticide used mainly for insect control. It is composed of a complex mixture of over 670 components, mostly consisting of chlorinated camphene and other camphene derivatives. Toxaphene was widely used from the 1940s to the 1980s for agricultural purposes, particularly in the control of insects on crops such as cotton, fruits, and vegetables.
This pesticide is classified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) due to its resistance to environmental degradation. It is known to persist in soil, water, and sediment for long periods, leading to its accumulation in the food chain. Toxaphene has been banned or severely restricted in many countries due to its detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Exposure to toxaphene can occur through various routes such as inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and skin contact. It is highly toxic to humans and animals, leading to adverse effects on the nervous system, liver, and immune system. Long-term exposure to toxaphene has also been linked to cancer, reproductive disorders, and developmental abnormalities.
Due to its persistency and potential toxicity, toxaphene is subject to strict regulations and is included in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, with a goal to eliminate or reduce its production and use worldwide.
Common Misspellings for TOXAPHENE
- roxaphene
- foxaphene
- goxaphene
- yoxaphene
- 6oxaphene
- 5oxaphene
- tixaphene
- tkxaphene
- tlxaphene
- tpxaphene
- t0xaphene
- t9xaphene
- tozaphene
- tocaphene
- todaphene
- tosaphene
- toxzphene
- toxsphene
- toxwphene
- toxqphene
Etymology of TOXAPHENE
The word "Toxaphene" is derived from the combination of two components: "tox" and "aphene".
1. "Tox": This component can be traced back to the Greek word "toxon" (τόξον), meaning "arrow" or "bow". In English, it is often used as a prefix denoting poison or toxicity. For example, words like "toxic" and "toxin" have their origins in this Greek term.
2. "Aphene": This part of the word comes from the synthetic substance "aphene", which is an abbreviation for "1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane". Aphene is the core chemical compound of toxaphene, a highly toxic pesticide.
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