Aldrin and dieldrin are organochlorine pesticides manufactured commercially since 1950 and once widely used to control many soil pests of agricultural importance. Dieldrin was also used in public health to control the vectors of some tropical diseases. Wide use was halted in the early 1970s, when evidence of environmental and health hazards prompted many governments to ban or severely restrict the use of these chemicals for agricultural purposes. Dieldrin continues to be used to protect wood and wood structures against attack by termites and wood borers, for the moth-proofing of textiles, and for locust control.

This book reviews the vast body of data on aldrin and dieldrin in an effort to determine whether the continuing, though restricted, use of these chemicals poses a hazard to health or the environment. An effort is also made to determine whether previously high levels of use left persistent risks. Well over 900 studies are examined in order to unravel the complexities of the behaviour of these chemicals, resolve inconsistencies in reported results, and issue clear guidelines for the protection of human health and the environment.

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