Aldrin and dieldrin are insecticides with similar chemical structures. Aldrin quickly breaks down to dieldrin in the body and in the environment. They do not occur naturally and are both white powders with slight, mild odors. From the 1950's until the 1970's, aldrin and dieldrin were commonly used as insecticides for crops such as corn and cotton. In 1974, however, the EPA banned all uses of the chemicals except to control termites and in 1987, the agency banned the use of the chemicals all together. 

How You Are Exposed

Dieldrin in soil and water breaks down very slowly and plants take in and store the chemical from the soil as well. It is found everywhere in the environment at very low levels but certain areas (particularly around waste sites) have been contaminated with harmful amounts of the insecticide. It is possible to be exposed to it by eating fish or shellfish from contaminated waterways, or contaminated root crops, dairy products, or meats. It is also possible to be exposed to the chemicals if you live in a house that was once treated with aldrin or dieldrin to control termites.

How Can Aldrin and Dieldrin Affect Your Health?

Dieldrin is stored and builds up in body fat and leaves the body very slowly so effects of its exposure can sometimes be long-term even if the exposure level is quite low. People who somehow ingested significant quantities of the insecticides experienced convulsions and some even died. 

Some workers who were exposed to moderate concentrations of the chemical for a long period of time experienced headaches, dizziness, irritability, vomiting, and uncontrolled muscle movements. Fortunately, those who were removed from the source of exposure quickly recovered.

Animal research has found that exposure to large amounts of aldrin or dieldrin can also have effects on the nervous system and long term oral exposure to lower levels can affect the liver and the animal’s ability to fight off infection. Such animal studies have also shown that the insecticides can cause liver cancer.