WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE ORGANISATION POUR L'ALIMENTATION ET
L'AGRICULTURE
VBC/DS/75.17
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
DATA SHEETS ON PESTICIDES No. 17
1975
DIELDRIN
It must be noted that the issue of a Data Sheet for a particular
pesticide does not imply endorsement of the pesticide by WHO or FAO for
any particular use, or exclude its use for other purposes not stated.
While the information provided is believed to be accurate according to
data available at the time when the sheet was compiled, neither WHO nor
FAO are responsible for any errors or omissions, or any consequences
therefrom.
The issue of this document does Ce document ne constitue pas une
not constitute formal publication. publication. Il ne doit faire
It should not be reviewed, l'objet d'aucun compte rendu ou
abstracted or quoted without the résumé ni d'aucune citation sans
agreement of the Food and l'autorisation de l'Organisation
Agriculture Organization of the des Nations Unies pour
United Nations or of the World l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture ou
Health Organization. de l'Organisation Mondiale de la
Santé.
DIELDRIN
Part 1 - General information
CLASSIFICATION
Primary use: insecticide
Secondary uses: acaricide
Chemical group: organochlorine compound
Data sheet No. 17
Date issued: December 1975
1.1 COMMON NAME: Dieldrin (ISO)
Identity: A technical product containing 85% of the chemical known
as HEOD of which the composition is: 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-
expoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8 8a-octahydro-endo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalene.
According to British usage, HEOD is the exo-endo isomer. Dieldrin is
closely related to its metabolic precursor aldrin and much of the
toxicological information on aldrin is referable to dieldrin.
Synonyms: Local synonyms:
OMS 18
1.2 SYNOPSIS: An organochlorine pesticide of high mammalian toxicity
which can accumulate in tissues of man and animals. The accumulation
of dieldrin in tissues is related to and in equilibrium with the level
of intake.
1.3 SELECTED PROPERTIES
1.3.1 Physical characteristics
The pure major ingredient HEOD is a white crystalline solid m.p.
176-177°C; technical dieldrin is a light tan flaky solid m.p. 150°C.
1.3.2 Solubility
Water at 25°C, practically insoluble (0.1 ppm) alcohol slightly
soluble (5%); benzene and acetone, moderately soluble (39 and 25%).
1.3.3 Stability
Pure HEOD is stable in alkali and diluted acids but reacts with
strong acids. Compatible with most other pesticides.
1.3.4 Vapour pressure (volatility)
Very low (5.4 x 10-6 mm Hg at 25°C).
1.4 AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY
1.4.1 Common formulations
Emulsifiable concentrates, 18-20%; wettable powders, 50 and 75%;
dust, 2%; granules, 2 and 5%; solutions, up to 20%. There are FAO
specifications for the technical material, emulsifiable concentrates,
dispersible powders and dusts, and a draft specification for granules.
1.4.2 Susceptible pests
High contact and stomach toxicity to most insects.
1.4.3 Use pattern
The use pattern has changed considerably during the last few
years owing to restrictions in many countries.
Pre-harvest treatments: treatment of soil against various
insects; seed treatment of grains, sugar beets, beans, leeks and
onions; foliar treatment of agricultural crops, fruits, nursery stocks
and ornamentals. There are restrictions on these uses in many
countries, particularly where crops for food or animal feed are
involved to ensure that residue levels arising from use are no greater
than current FAO/WHO or local maximum residue levels.
Post-harvest treatments: has been used for treatment of empty
warehouses etc. in food storage practice. This use has decreased and
is prohibited in many countries. Dieldrin is not used directly on
stored commodities or for treatment of containers which may come into
contact with foodstuffs.
Other uses: Dieldrin is used in tropical and sub-tropical
regions to control disease vectors and locusts: application is usually
by trained personnel only. Dieldrin is used for termite control in
buildings under construction and for spot treatment against other
domestic pests: domestic use is no longer allowed in several
countries. It is used in dilute solution to preserve wood from attack
by boring insects and for moth-proofing wool during dyeing.
1.4.4 Unintended effects
The persistence of dieldrin has led to widespread occurrence in
tissues and hence to restrictions in its use. It has been implicated
in the decline of some wildlife birds, partly by a direct effect upon
egg production, but more generally by causing thinning of eggshells.
1.5 PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES
It has been used, usually under strict control, to control
mosquito adults, chiggers, reduviid bugs, tsetse flies.
1.6 HOUSEHOLD USE
Limited household use, prohibited in several countries.
DIELDRIN
Part 2 - Toxicology and risks
Common name: dieldrin
Data sheet No. 17
Date issued: December 1975
2.1 TOXICOLOGY - MAMMALS
2.1.1 Absorption route: Absorbed by the intact skin as well as by
inhalation and from the gastrointestinal tract.
2.1.2 Mode of action: Central nervous system stimulant producing
convulsions.
2.1.3 Excretion products: Mainly excreted in the faeces largely as a
9-hydroxy derivative. Minor metabolites are also excreted in the
urine. Dieldrin is also stored in body tissues, particularly the fat,
and is slowly excreted.
2.1.4 Toxicity, single dose
Oral: LD50 rat (M) 46 mg/kg
rat (F) 46 mg/kg
Dermal: LD50 rat (M) 90 mg/kg
rat (F) 60 mg/kg
Dermal: LD50 rabbit 250-360 mg/kg.
Most susceptible species: There is no marked difference in toxicity
among various species.
2.1.5 Toxicity, repeated doses
Oral: Daily administration of 0.625 mg/kg of dieldrin to rabbits
adversely affected survival rate. At 2.5 mg/kg all the animals died.
See also dietary studies.
Inhalation: No information.
Dermal: Rabbits in daily contact with an average of 40 mg/kg of dry
dieldrin 2 hours per day for 5 days a week survived 50 contact periods;
at 163 mg/kg, 4 out of 5 animals died after 9, 11, 15 and 20 contact
periods.
Cumulation of compound: Dieldrin is cumulative in body tissues being
stored particularly in fat. The level in lipids is related to the
average level of intake.
Cumulation of effect: The chronic toxicity of dieldrin is due to the
cumulation of the compound in the body. It will only occur when the
dieldrin level in blood, in equilibrium with the dieldrin level in fat
exceeds a certain value.
2.1.6 Dietary studies
Short-term
Increased mortality was observed in rats fed 125 ppm (6.25
mg/kg/day) or higher for 90 days. Histological changes were observed
at 10 ppm (0.5 mg/kg/day) and above.
Dogs fed 1 ppm (0.025 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin for 15 months (the
lowest level fed) exhibited enlarged livers, but there were no
histological changes observed. At 10 ppm (0.25 mg/kg/day) survival was
affected.
In another study the no effect level in the dog with respect to
clinical or histopathological abnormalities was 0.2 mg/kg (equivalent
to 8 ppm in the diet).
Long-term
The life span of mice fed 10 ppm (1.5 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin for
up to two years was reduced when compared to controls.
Non-specific hepatic cell changes and increase in liver to body-
weight ratios were evident in rats fed 1.5 ppm (0.07 mg/kg/day) of
dieldrin or higher for two years. Rats were fed dietary levels of 0.1,
1.0 or 10.0 ppm (0.005, 0.05, 0.5 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin for two years.
Symptoms (increased irritability and occasional convulsions) were only
observed at 10 ppm (0.5 mg/kg/day) increased liver weight and liver to
body-weight ratios were observed in the females only at 1.0 and 10.0
ppm (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg/day) and histological liver changes were only
observed at 10.0 ppm (0.5 mg/kg/day).
Two dogs have been on a continuing dietary regime of 0.2
mg/kg/day for six years or longer. The only effects observed were
increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity in both animals and
increased bromosulphthalein clearance in the male.
No changes in liver enzymes were observed in monkeys fed 0.5 ppm
(0.025 mg/kg/day) or less of dieldrin for up to six years. At 1.0 ppm
(0.05 mg/kg/day) and above some increase in activity of microsomal
liver enzymes was evident. No histological changes were seen.
2.1.7 Supplementary studies of toxicity
Carcinogenicity
For mice fed 10 ppm (1.5 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin for two years,
there was a significant increase in tumours which were morphologically
benign. Mice were fed dietary levels of 0.1, 1.0 or 10 ppm (0.015,
0.15 or 1.5 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin for periods up to 132 weeks. No
tumours were evident before 37 weeks at any dose level. After this
time, the incidence of tumours increased with the concentration of
dieldrin that was fed. Some tumours were classed as benign, the others
as hepatocarcinomas; the latter kind were very rare in the controls. In
a few cases emboli of tumour cells were found in the lungs.
In rats fed 20, 30, or 50 ppm (1.0, 1.5 or 2.5 mg/kg/day) of
dieldrin there was a dose related increase in all tumours particularly
in the mammary and lymphatic glands. There was no evidence of
malignancy. In rats fed levels of dieldrin ranging from 0.5 to 150 ppm
(0.025 to 7.5 mg/kg/day), there was an increase in the number of
tumours when compared to a control group, but in this study, there did
not appear to be a dose related increase.
Reproduction
Significantly smaller litters were produced from mice fed 5 ppm
(0.75 mg/kg/day) of dieldrin than from a control group although
mortality was unaffected.
A diet of 2.5 ppm (0.125 mg/kg/day) or higher of dieldrin
initially reduced the number of pregnancies and increased mortality
among suckling young. In another study the maximum level of dieldrin
in rats which did not interfere with reproduction was 0.24 ppm in the
diet (0.012 mg/kg/day).
Teratogenicity
No teratogenic effects were observed in young sheep fed dietary
levels of dieldrin up to 25 ppm (1 mg/kg/day).
2.1.8 Modifications of toxicity
No information.
2.2 TOXICOLOGY - MAN
2.2.1 Absorption
See 2.1.1. Both the oral and dermal routes have been responsible
for poisoning in man.
2.2.2 Dangerous doses
Single: Persons exposed to oral doses of dieldrin or aldrin which
exceed 10 mg/kg frequently became acutely ill. A dose of about 44
mg/kg of dieldrin led to convulsions in a child.
Repeated: Little information. In different countries 2% to 40% of
men applying 0.5% to 2.5% suspensions or emulsion at the rate of about
1 g/m2 have developed poisoning within two weeks to 24 months after the
first exposure.
2.2.3 Observations of occupationally exposed workers
Extensive observations on plant workers have been conducted. No
report of cases of fatal poisoning in aldrin and dieldrin manufacture
can be located. The threshold levels of dieldrin in the blood below
which no symptom of intoxication has been observed is 0.20 µg/ml. The
half-life for dieldrin in the blood of exposed workers has been
estimated to be 0.73 years. In one plant, concentrations of dieldrin
in the blood of workers ranged from < 0.01 to 0.44 µg/ml in 1964 to
< 0.005 to 0.15 µg/ml in 1969. At a level of 0.15 µg/ml, there was no
impairment of health, and no signs of enzyme induction. Calculations
based on the geometric means for the two years indicated that
absorption was equivalent to an average oral daily intake of 802 or
287 µg respectively.
2.2.4 Observations of exposure of the general population
Total diet studies in two countries and calculations from
dieldrin levels in adipose tissue demonstrate an average daily dieldrin
intake of 7 µg/man (range 2.7 to 22 µg/man) (equivalent to 0.1
µg/kg/day). This intake corresponds to a blood level of 0.0006 µg/ml.
2.2.5 Observations of volunteers
Male subjects were given daily doses of 0 (control), 0.01, 0.05,
or 0.21 mg of dieldrin for two years. The blood and adipose tissue
concentration of dieldrin were found to be proportional to the daily
dose and it was believed that concentration equilibrium was reached in
the blood between the tenth and the eighteenth month and in the adipose
tissue between the ninth and the fifteenth month. After 18 months, the
increase in blood level was slight. All men remained in excellent
health and there were no clinical abnormalities. Laboratory tests
revealed a slight drop in plasma alkaline phosphatase in the highest
dose group as the only abnormality.
2.2.6 Reported mishaps
There have been no cases of mass poisoning by dieldrin. A total
of 13 isolated cases of fatal poisoning by aldrin and dieldrin had been
reported in 1965.
2.3 TOXICITY TO NON MAMMALIAN SPECIES
The entries in these sections are intended to draw attention to
special risks and to give warnings of any needs for special
precautions.
2.3.1 Fish
Highly toxic to fish.
2.3.2 Birds
Toxicity to birds varies. Fairly high (LD50 about 50 mg/kg or
less) for several tested species. Evidence of cumulative toxic action.
2.3.3 Other species
Toxic to bees.
Part 3 - For regulatory authorities
Common name: dieldrin
Data sheet No. 17
Date issued: December 1975
RECOMMENDATIONS ON REGULATION OF COMPOUND
3.1 RECOMMENDED RESTRICTIONS ON AVAILABILITY
(For definition of categories see introduction). Liquid
formulations over 25%, category 3, and over 2.5%, category 4. Solid
formulations over 10%, category 4. Other formulations, category 5.
3.2 TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
All formulations in categories 3 and 4
UN classification 6.1.
All formulations in categories 3 and 4
Should be transported or stored in clearly labelled rigid and
leakproof containers, under lock and key, secure from access by
unauthorized persons and children. No food or drink should be stored
in the same compartment.
Formulations, category 5
Should be stored in clearly labelled leak-proof containers, out
of reach of children, away from food and drink.
3.3 HANDLING
All formulations, categories 3 and 4
Full protective clothing (see part 4) should be provided for all
handling of the compound. Adequate washing facilities should be
available at all times during handling and should be close to the site
of handling. Eating, drinking and smoking should be prohibited during
handling and before washing after handling.
Formulations, category 5
No facilities other than those needed for the handling of any
chemical need to be required.
3.4 DISPOSAL AND/OR DECONTAMINATION OF CONTAINERS
All formulations
Containers must be burned or crushed and buried below topsoil.
Care must be taken to avoid subsequent contamination of water sources.
Decontamination of containers in order to use them for other purposes
should not be permitted.
3.5 SELECTION, TRAINING AND MEDICAL SUPERVISION OF WORKERS
All formulations, categories 3 and 4
Pre-employment medical examination of workers and regular special
examination advisable. Special account should be taken of the workers'
mental ability to comprehend and follow instructions. Training of
workers in techniques to avoid contact essential.
Formulation, category 5
Special medical examination not needed. Warning to workers to
contact essential.
3.6 ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS RECOMMENDED IF DISTRIBUTION BY AIRCRAFT
All formulations
Pilots and loaders should have special training in application
methods and recognition of early symptoms of poisoning. Use of flagmen
not recommended. Flagmen, if used, should wear overalls and be located
well away from the dropping zone.
3.7 LABELLING
Formulations
All formulations, categories 3 and 4.
Minimum cautionary statement
"Dieldrin is a toxic substance and may cause convulsions. It is
poisonous if swallowed. It may be absorbed through the skin or inhaled
as dusts or mists. Avoid skin contact; wear protective gloves and
clean protective clothing whilst using the material. Wash thoroughly
with soap and water after using. Keep the material out of reach of
children and well away from foodstuffs, animal feed and their
containers."
Formulations
Formulations, category 5.
Minimum cautionary statement
"This formulation contains dieldrin, a toxic substance which is
poisonous if swallowed. Keep the material out of reach of children and
well away from foodstuffs, animal feed and their containers."
3.8 RESIDUES IN FOOD
Maximum residue limits have been recommended for dieldrin by the
joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. As these are subject to
change at annual reviews, the latest data will be found in the report
of the 1972 Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues.
Part 4 - Prevention of poisoning in man and emergency aid
Common name: dieldrin
Data sheet No. 17
Date issued: December 1975
4.1 PRECAUTIONS IN USE
4.1.1 General
Dieldrin is an organochlorine pesticide of high mammalian
toxicity which penetrates the intact skin and is also absorbed by
inhalation and from the gastro-intestinal tract. Concentrated
formulations should be handled by trained personnel wearing protective
clothing.
4.1.2 Manufacture and formulation
T.L.V.
(A.C.G.I.H.) 0.25 mg/m3; (USSR) 0.01 mg/m3
Closed systems and forced ventilation may be required to reduce
as much as possible the exposure of workers to the chemical.
4.1.3 Mixers and applicators
When opening the container and when mixing, protective
impermeable boots, clean overalls, gloves and respirator should be
worn. Mixing, if not mechanical, should always be carried out with a
paddle of appropriate length. When spraying tall crops or during
aerial application, a face mask should be worn as well as an
impermeable hood, clothing, boots and gloves. The applicator should
avoid working in spray mist and avoid contact with the mouth.
Particular care is needed when equipment is being washed after use.
All protective clothing should be washed immediately after use,
including the insides of gloves. Splashes must be washed immediately
from the skin or eyes with large quantities of water. Before eating,
drinking or smoking, hands and other exposed skin should be washed.
4.1.4 Other associated workers (including flagmen in aerial operations)
Persons exposed to dieldrin and associated with its application
should wear protective clothing and observe the precautions described
above in 4.1.3 under "mixers and applicators".
4.1.5 Other populations likely to be affected
With good agricultural practice subject to 4.2 below, other
populations should not be exposed to hazardous amounts of dieldrin.
Total diet studies in two countries have demonstrated that the intake
of aldrin and dieldrin is well below the hazard level. Detectable
levels of dieldrin are found in the fat of the general population but
not at levels of medical significance.
4.2 ENTRY OF PERSONS INTO TREATED AREAS
Unprotected persons should be kept out of treated areas for at
least one day.
4.3 SAFE DISPOSAL OF CONTAINERS AND SPILLAGE
Residues in containers should be emptied in a diluted form into a
deep pit taking care to avoid contamination of ground waters.
Decontamination of containers in order to use them for other purposes
should not be permitted. Spillage should be removed as much as passible
into a deep dry pit and the remainder washed away with large quantities
of water.
4.4 EMERGENCY AID
4.4.1 Early symptoms of poisoning
Early symptoms of poisoning are headache, dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, loss of appetite, general malaise and possibly insomnia.
Convulsions may occur, sometimes without the warning symptoms just
mentioned.
4.4.2 Treatment before person is seen by a physician, if these symptoms
follow exposure
The person should stop work immediately, remove contaminated
clothing and wash the affected skin with soap and water if available,
and flush the area with large quantities of water. If swallowed,
vomiting should be induced, if the person is conscious.
Part 5 - For medical and laboratory personnel
Common name: dieldrin
Data sheet No. 17
Date issued: December 1975
5.1 MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CASES OF POISONING
5.1.1 General information
An organochlorine pesticide of high mammalian toxicity which may
be absorbed through the intact skin as well as by inhalation and from
the gastrointestinal tract. Its mode of action is as a central nervous
system stimulant producing convulsions. It is cumulative in body
tissues particularly fat. The half life in blood has been estimated to
be 0.73 years.
5.1.2 Symptoms and signs
Early symptoms of acute poisoning include headache, nausea,
vomiting, general malaise and dizziness. With more severe poisoning
clonic and tonic convulsions occur with or without the symptoms just
mentioned. Coma may or may not follow the convulsions.
Hyperexcitability and hyperirritability are common findings. Following
repeated exposure a condition indistinguishable from epilepsy has been
observed.
5.1.3 Laboratory
No symptoms have ever been observed where the blood level of
dieldrin is 0.2 µg/ml or below. Levels above this figure may therefore
be indicative of poisoning. The presence of dieldrin metabolites in
the urine also indicates absorption. The electro-encephalogram may
show specific changes: bilateral synchronous spikes, spike and wave
complexes and slow theta waves.
5.1.4 Treatment
If the pesticide has been ingested, gastric lavage should be
performed with 2-4 litres of tap water followed by saline purgatives
(30 g sodium sulfate in 250 ml of water). Barbiturates (preferably
phenobarbitone or pentobarbitone) or diazepam should be given IM or IV
in sufficient dosage to control restlessness or convulsions. It may be
necessary to give large doses over a period of two weeks in connexion
with the syndrome characterized by complete loss of appetite and severe
weight loss. Mechanical respiratory assistance with oxygen may be
required. Calcium gluconate, 10% in 10 ml should be ingested four
hourly. Contraindications are oily purgatives, epinephrine and other
adrenegic drugs and central stimulants of all kinds.
5.1.5 Prognosis
If the convulsions are survived, the chances of complete recovery
are good. However, in very severe cases, there is a possibility of
permanent brain damage secondary to continued anoxia resulting from
prolonged convulsions.
5.1.6 References of previously reported cases
The following reference gives methods of treatment used in cases of
poisoning:
Zavon, M. R. (1964) J. Amer. Med. Ass., 190, 595-596;
Hayes, W. J. jr (1963) "Clinical Handbook on Economic Poisons", U.S.
Dept. Hlth Educ. Wel., Publ. Hlth Ser. Pub. No. 476, pp. 49, 50, 66.
5.2 SURVEILLANCE METHODS
There are no rapid methods for determining the extent of
absorption of dieldrin prior to the appearance of symptoms. Levels of
dieldrin in blood and the presence of dieldrin metabolites in urine
have been used in surveillance tests.
5.3 LABORATORY
References only are given.
5.3.1 Detection and analysis
For the determination of dieldrin in blood, see Richardson et al.
(1967) ; Dale et al. (1967); and Jain et al. (1965). Levels of
dieldrin in urine have also been measured (Cueto & Biros, 1967).
Multiresidue gas-chromatographic methods of analysis are now
available for a number of organochlorine pesticides in food including
dieldrin. The methods of the AOAC (1970, 1971, 1972; see also U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, 1971); de Faubert Maunder et al. (1964);
Wood (1969); and Abbott et al. (1969) are suitable for foodstuffs and
processed foods. They allow determinations of 0.002 ppm in milk and
0.02 ppm in most other foods.
5.3.2 Other tests in cases of poisoning
Electroencephalographic changes after poisoning by cyclodiene
compounds are described by Hoogendam, I., Versteeg, J. P. J. & de
Vlieger, M. (1962) Arch. environm. Hlth., 4, 86-94.
REFERENCES
Richardson, A. , Robinson, J. , Bush, B. & Davies, J. M. (1967)
Determination of dieldrin (HEOD) in blood. Arch. environm. Hlth.,
14, 703
Dale, W. E. , Curley, A. & Hayes, W. J. (1967) Determination of
chlorinated insecticides in human blood. Industr. Med. Surg.,
36, 275
Jain, N. C., Fontan, C. R. & Kirk, P. L. (1965) Simplified gas
chromatographic analysis of pesticides from blood. J. Pharm.
Pharmacol., 17, 362
Cueto, C., jr & Biros, F. J. (1967) Chlorinated insecticides and
related materials in human urine. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol., 10,
261
AOAC
"Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC", 11th ed., 1970, 29.001
AOAC
Changes in Methods. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem., 1971, 54, 470
Ibid., 1972, 55, 428
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Pesticide Analytical Manual",
Vol. I, 1971, Sections 211, 212
de Faubert Maunder, M. J., Egan, H., Godly, E. W., Hammond, E. W.,
Roburn, J. & Thomson, J. (1964) Clean-up of Animal Fats and Dairy
Products for the Analysis of Chlorinated Pesticide Residues,
Analyst, 89, 168
Wood, N. F. (1969) Extraction and Clean-up of Organochlorine Pesticide
Residues by Column Chromatography, Analyst, 94, 399
Abbott, D. C., Holmes, D. C. & Tatton, J. O'G. (1969) Pesticide
Residues in the Total Diet in England and Wales, 1966-1967. II -
Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in the Total Diet. J. Sci. Fd
Agric., 20, 245