Aldrin / Dieldrin Fact Sheet

Source of Exposure

These compounds are broad spectrum cyclodienes. They were widely used in agriculture for the past 20 years until their use was suspended by the E.P.A. in 1974. However, they are still in use for termite control in the U.S. Aldrin and Dieldrin are still in use around the world and may be found in imported produce. Humans can be exposed through ingestion of contaminated foods or water. They may be absorbed by inhalation of dust or vapors and by direct contact with the skin. These products were manufactured under the trade names of Aldrex, Octalene, Toxadrin, Alvit, Octalox, Panaorma, Quintox, and HHDN.

Symptoms

Acute exposure may cause nausea, dizziness, tremors, and convulsions and loss of consciousness. These poisons are absorbed across the gut and interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses. This neurologic interference can produce weakness, apprehension, excitability and disorientation in an exposed patient. Additional symptoms may be irregular or depressed respiration as well as myocardial irritability. Many forms of the pesticide may be delivered in petroleum solvents that may contribute to respiratory depression upon exposure.

Blood Concentrations

Data indicates that the average serum level in the general for aldrin and dieldrin are 0.1 and 0.2 PPB (EHS data). Persons with occupational exposure to aldrin and dieldrin produced serum levels of 0.7-2.3 ppb and 9.4-27.0 ppb respectively. Aldrin is found above detectable limits in 5% of the general population and dieldrin is found in about 61.9% of the general population. (EHS data)

Toxic Levels

Severe clinical signs of dieldrin poisoning were reported when serum concentrations exceeded 150 ppb. (Brown et al., 1964). A case involving three fatal cases of dieldrin exposure showed serum levels of 500 ppb upon autopsy. Individuals who have been sensitized may manifest negative health effects at concentrations well within the ranges considered safe for the average population.

Metabolism

Aldrin is metabolized by epoxide formation and is converted to dieldrin. Dieldrin is the form that is stored for days in the fatty tissues of the body. Therefore aldrin may be indicative of a recent exposure while dieldrin usually indicated a past or chronic exposure. The average half life of dieldrin is one year.(Hunter et al., 1969)

Summary

Classification:  Chlorinated Pesticide

Population Average:  0.2 PPB (serum)

Threshold Limit Value:  1,500 PPB (whole blood)  350,000 PPB (air)

Onset of Symptoms:  150 PPB (serum)

Death:   500 PPB (serum)

Half Life:   1 Year

IDLH: 450 mg/m3

LD5O (oral-rat):   39 ng/kg

References

-Avar, P. and Czegledi-Janko, G. "Occupational exposure to aldrin: clinical and laboratory finding", Brit J Med. 27: 279-282, 1970.

-Baselt, R.C., Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 2nd Ed. Davis, CA: Biomedical Publications, 1982.

-Bell, A. "Aldrin poisoning: a case report", Med J Aust. 2: 698-700, 1960.

-Brown, V.K.H.p Hunter, C.G. and Richardson, A. "A blood test diagnostic of exposure to aldrin and dieldrin", Brit.J.Ind.Med. 21: 283-286, 1964.

-Committee on Toxicology, An Assessment of the Health Risks of Seven Pesticides Used for Termite Control, Washington, D.C: National Academy Press, 1982.

-Dale, W.E., Curley, A., and Cueto, C. Jr., "Hexane extractable chlorinated insecticides in human blood", Life Sci. 5: 47-54, 1966.

-Davignon, L.F., St. Pierre, J., Charest, G., and Tourangeau, F.J. "A study of the chronic effects of insecticides in man". in Canadian Med Assoc. 92: 507-602, 1965.

-Harris, C.R., and Sans, W.W. "Pesticides in soil", Pest Monitoring J. 5: 259-267, 1971.

-Hayes, W.J. and Curley, A. "Storage and excretion of dieldrin and related compounds", Arch Env Health 16: 155-162, 1968.

-Hunter, C.G. , Robinson, J. and Richardson, A. "Chlorinated insecticide content of human body fat in southern England", Brit Med J. 1: 221-224P 1963.

-Kazantzis, G., McLaughlin, A.I.G., and Prior, P.F. "Poisoning in industrial workers by the insecticide aldrin", Brit J Ind Med. 21: 46-511, 1964.

-Mick, D.L., Long, K.R. and Bonderman, D.P. "Aldrin and dieldrin in the blood of pesticide formulators", Am Ind Hyg Asso J. 33: 94-99, 1972.

-Morgan, D.P. Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 3rd Ed. , United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA-540/9-80-005, Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, January, 1982.

-Seba, D. B., Milam, M. J. and Laseter, J. L. "Uptake, measurement and elimination of synthetic chemicals by man", in Borstoff, J. and Challacombe, S.J. (Eds.), Food Allergy and Intolerance, London: Bailliere Tindall, 1987.

-Spiotta, E.J. "Aldrin poisoning in man", Arch Ind Hyg Occ Med. 4: 560-566, 1951.

-Tocci, P.M., Mann, J.B. , Davies, J.E. , Edmundson, W.F. "Biochemical differences found in persons chronically exposed to high levels of pesticides", Ind Med. 38: 40-479 1969.