Kepone

Kepone

 [ke´pōn]

trademark for a polychlorinated ketone used as an insecticide; workers exposed to this nonbiodegradable compound have suffered neurologic symptoms, such as tremors and slurred speech.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

A carcinogenic chlorinated polycyclic ketone insecticide and fungicide used in the US between 1966 and 1975. It gained notoriety from its improper handling and dumping into the James River, Virginia, which was subsequently closed to fishing. Chlordecone has a 30-year environmental half-life
Toxicity Tremors, nystagmus, memory loss, headaches, slurred speech, unsteadiness, incoordination, loss of weight, rash, hepatomegaly, decreased libido, sterility, chest pain, arthralgia, and the increased risk of cancer

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.