Figure: Molecular structure of Aldrin

ALS offering for Aldrin testing

Overview

Aldrin got it’s name from the German scientist Kurt Alder who is one of the chemists behind the Diels-Alder reaction used to produce the compound.

Aldrin was used as an insecticide, against termites, to treat seed and soil until the 70’s when it was banned in most countries. Aldrin in itself is not toxic to insect, but will oxidise to Dieldrin that has insecticidal properties. Structurally Aldrin and Dieldrin are very similar as can be seen in Figure 5 and 6. There is still a limited use of Aldrin today in some countries as a termiticide.

Toxicity

Aldrin is classified as an extremely hazardous substance and a potential occupational carcinogen.

Table: International threshold values for Aldrin

1. Swedish EPA report 5976. Limit depending on classification
2. VROM (2000) Streefwaarden en interventiewaarden bodemsanering. Staatscourant 24 february 2000/39.
3. Crommentuijn et al., Journal of Environmental Management 58 (2000): 297