DIELDRINPesticide

Ocbina, Jackielyn B.Macuja, John Carlo

O.III-BSCT

Philippine Normal UniversityChemical and Molecular

Toxicology

CHARACTERISTICS

Under normal conditions, pure Dieldrin is white crystals, which have a faint chemical smell. It often contains impurities, which give it a beige color and possibly also a stronger smell.

Dieldrin evaporates easily. In its pure form, it melts at 176 degrees celsius, but impure forms have a lower melting point of around 95 degrees celsius.

Dieldrin does not dissolve in water, but readily mixes with organic solvents, fats and oils.

Dieldrin is a chlorinated hydrocarbon.

Structure:

Structure:

Dieldrin is part of the "drin" group of pesticides and therefore has similar properties to other members of the group such as Endrin, Aldrin and Isodrin.

Dieldrin can be formed from the synthesis of hexachloro-1,3-cyclopentadiene with norbornadiene  in a Diels-Alder reaction, followed by epoxidation of the norbornene ring.

Synthesis

Dieldrin is closely related to Aldrin, which reacts further to form dieldrin.

Aldrin is not toxic to insects; it is oxidized in the insect to form dieldrin which is the active compound.

Originally developed in the 1940s as an alternative to DDT, dieldrin proved to be a highly effective insecticide and was very widely used during the 1950s to early 1970s. 

In the past, Dieldrin was widely used as a pesticide to control insects in soils.

It was used in agriculture on cotton, corn and citrus crops, for public health to control diseases carried by insects, such as mosquitoes and tsetse flies, for termites, and as a wood preservative.

USES

In countries where it is still used, releases of Dieldrin occur as a result of its manufacture, transport and use as a pesticide.

It is also formed when the chemically similar Aldrin is broken down in the environment. There are not thought to be any natural sources of Dieldrin to the environment.

Where does it came from?

Dieldrin is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and many other forms of wildlife and can accumulate in the environment, particularly in the fat of animals. Dieldrin binds strongly to soil particles and is not easily broken down. Little seeps to groundwaters. That which evaporates from soils into the atmosphere may travel considerable distances before being re-deposited elsewhere.

How might it affect the environment?

Dieldrin is considered a persistent organic pollutant (POP), which tend to remain in the environment and in the fatty tissue of animals for long periods of time and can travel long distances.

How might it affect the environment?

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is likely to cause cancer.  It is considered a Probable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.

Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system

Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones

Can cause kidney damage

TOXICITY

Others:

Dieldrin has caused low birth weight and skeletal deformities in test animals, but there is not enough evidence to conclude the same could occur in humans. 

Neurological effects, such as depression; anxiety; irritability.

Ingesting large amounts can result in convulsions and death.

Exposure to moderate levels in the air can cause headaches, dizziness, irritability, vomiting, and uncontrolled muscle movements.

TOXICITY

How might exposure to it affect human health?

Dieldrin can enter the body inhalation of air containing dieldrin, ingestion of contaminated water or food or by dermal contact with dieldrin.

Exposure to dieldrin occurs mainly by ingestion of contaminated food.

Inhalation of moderate levels of dieldrin over long periods of time can cause a range of adverse health effects including headaches, dizziness, uncontrollable muscle movements irritability, and vomiting.

TOXICITY

How might exposure to it affect human health?

Exposure to high levels can cause convulsions and kidney damage.

Ingestion of dieldrin can cause nausea vomiting and diarrhoea.

Ingestion of large quantities of dieldrin can result in symptoms similar to those for inhalation and in extreme cases death.

Dermal contact with high levels of dieldrin can cause skin irritation.

TOXICITY

Apoptotic morphology of PC12 cells following dieldrin exposure:

TOXICITY

It is an extremely persistent organic pollutant; it does not easily break down.

Furthermore it tends to biomagnify as it is passed along the food chain.

Long-term exposure has proven toxic to a very wide range of animals including humans, far greater than to the original insect targets. For this reason it is now banned in most of the world.

Reasons Why It is Banned..

It has been linked to health problems such as Parkinson's, breast cancer, and immune, reproductive, and nervous system damage.

It can also adversely affect testicular descent in the fetus if a pregnant woman is exposed to it.

Reasons Why It is Banned..