Carcinogenic potential of endosulfan and its metabolites based on a quantum chemical model

The aim of the present study was to investigate the carcinogenic potential of endosulfan and its metabolites through electronic parameters that characterize the action of carcinogens, i.e. descriptors such as electron affinity, Δ (HOMO–LUMO), dipole moments, electrostatic attraction, formation heat (Hf) and permeability of the cell membrane (c Log P). The results reveal that both endosulfan and its metabolites are electrophilic and have carcinogenic potential. Although there are few data on its carcinogenicity in the literature, the findings of the present study indicate that the use of this pesticide represents a risk to the health of the general population, especially rural workers.