This article is about the pesticide. For the band, see Kepone (band).

Kepone (also known as Chlordecone) was a carcinogenic insecticide related to mirex, used between 1966 and 1975 in the USA for ant and roach baits. It was produced by Allied Signal Company in Hopewell, Virginia and produced nationwide pollution controversy due to improper handling and dumping of the substance. Its use was banned in 1975.

A July 2005 Richmond Magazine article chronicled the ill health effects on Allied Signal employees and described how Dan Rather and CBS's 60 Minutes brought nationwide attention to the problem.

Due to the pollution scare, many businesses and restaurants along the river suffered, and then-Governor Mills Godwin Jr. shut down the James River to fishing from Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay.

Kepone is a trade name for chlordecone. Its CAS number is . It is a chlorinated polycyclic insecticide and fungicide with chemical formula ₁₀₂₁₀.

Miscellaneous

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The punk rock band Dead Kennedys have a song entitled Kepone Factory.

External links

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• Chesapeake bay.net
• richmond magazine
• chemical description

Carcinogens | Insecticides | James River (Virginia)