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What Is Dieldrin Insecticide?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes dieldrin as both an insecticide and a by-product of a pesticide known as aldrin. Both substances are currently banned in the United States for use and production.

  1. History

    • Dieldrin was widely used from 1950 to 1974. According to the "Healthy Child Healthy World Chemical Encyclopedia," dieldrin was used to control insects on agricultural crops, to control termites, and as a wood preservative. By 1974 dieldrin had gained attention as a toxic chemical. The EPA began limiting its use in 1985.

    Aldrin

    • Aldrin is a pesticide that is similar in structure to dieldrin. It was primarily used for termite control and as a wood preservative. According to the CDC ToxFAQs™ for Aldrin/Dieldrin, sunlight and bacteria change aldrin to dieldrin when it comes into contact with plants and animals. Aldrin was also widely used from 1950 to 1974. Both aldrin and dieldrin were banned for all uses by 1987.

    Persistent Organic Pollutant

    • Dieldrin was one of twelve chemicals identified by the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) treaty. This global treaty states that POPs remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, and accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife.

    EPA National Priorities List

    • The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that dieldrin had been found on 287 of 1,613 sites that the EPA had identified for contamination cleanup.

    Limiting Risk

    • The CDC ToxFAQs™ for Aldrin/Dieldrin provides dieldrin limit levels that are monitored by the EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Minimum levels are identified for water, air, and food products.

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