Chlorinated Pesticides

Chlorinated Pesticides

What are Chlorinated Pesticides

Chlorinated Pesticides are nerve agents used in agriculture as pesticides, around homes as termiticides, and in grains as fungicides. These chemicals were designed to attack the nervous system of pests which leads to overstimulation of the nerves and eventually death. The most well known chlorinated pesticide is DDT. Most chlorinated pesticides have been banned for use in the United States since the 1980s. However, some of these chemicals are still in use in other parts of the world, and as fat-soluble toxins, they are persistent in the environment and the fatty tissue of animals and humans.

A list of some chlorinated pesticides includes:

  • DDT
  • DDE
  • Dieldrin
  • Heptachlor Epoxide
  • Hexachlorobenzene
  • Mirex
  • Oxychlordane
  • Trans-nonachlor

Human exposure occurs mainly through our diet, primarily from high fat foods such as, meat, poultry, dairy products, and fish, and leafy and root vegetables from agricultural run-off. Other sources of exposure are from dust and soil that were contaminated with these pesticides and termiticides.

Chlorinated pesticides are fat-soluble toxins, which means they are stored in our body fat, and also in the fat of the animals we consume. Since these toxins bioaccumulate, we pass them on to the next generation.

Acute toxicity from chlorinated pesticides is rarely seen since they have been banned; however, their persistence in the environment and our bodies can cause a variety of health problems that begin slowly. The effects of these compounds are most often seen in the neurological, immunological, and endocrinological systems, although they can also affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other systems in the body.

Exposure can result in adverse health effects such as:

  • Increased asthma and allergies
  • Parkinsonism
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Type II Diabetes
  • Higher risk of certain cancers
  • Fertility and reproductive issues
  • Cognitive disorders
  • Thyroid issues
  • Risk of atherosclerosis
  • Obesity
  • Autoimmune disease

Items Containing Chlorinated Pesticides

Vegetables

Vegetables, such as spinach, collard greens, summer squash, Hubbard squash, and cucumbers may be contain chlorinated pesticides due to nutrient absorption from contaminated soil. It is recommended to buy organic, or choose from the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists provided by Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org).

Termiticides

Termiticides are used in and around homes and other buildings. Exposure occurs through inhaling contaminated dust through furnace and air ducts and soil particles that are tracked indoors on our shoes.

Meat

Chlorinated pesticides are stored in fatty tissues, and when we consume fatty meats, we are also consuming these toxins. Animals are exposed to pesticides in their natural environment due to groundwater contamination and bioaccumulation. It is recommended to limit fatty meats in the diet to lower chlorinated pesticide exposure.

Dairy

Due to chlorinated pesticides being stored in fatty tissues, dairy products also contain these toxins. Animals are exposed to these pesticides in their natural environment due to groundwater contamination and bioaccumulation.

Fish

A number of fresh water fish advisories have been posted in certain US lakes and rivers because of DDT and PCB contamination of trout and other fish.

Fruit

Fruit may be contaminated with pesticides that are used either directly on them, or by chemical residues that attach to the fruit via dust particles in the environment. It is recommended to buy organic, or choose from the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists provided by Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org).
Concerned about your exposure? Get tested with the Chlorinated Pesticides Profile.
For more information on chlorinated pesticides and their affect on health, read our Chlorinated Pesticides Interpretative Guide.