DIELDRIN

Dieldrin was first used by cotton growers in the 1950s; it has subsequently been used on other crops for the control of vectorborne diseases and for mothproofing woolen goods. Dieldrin, as well as other cyclodiene insecticides, is uniquely suited for the control of termites. In 1974, the U.S. registration of products containing aldrin and dieldrin was canceled. As a result of worldwide concerns regarding the potential human health and environmental impacts of dieldrin, its manufacture ceased by the early 1990s.
Occupational exposures have occurred among all groups that have been involved in the manufacture or handling of the compound, and in the spraying of dieldrin suspensions and emulsions. Overexposure, resulting in acute intoxication, occurred primarily in the early days of dieldrin, aldrin, and endrin manufacture and in spraying operations with these compounds in Kenya, India, Iran, and other malariainfested countries.