Aldrin

Description

A toxic, chlorinated hydrocarbon that occurs as white to brown crystals. Aldrin was first introduced as an insecticide in 1948. The former insecticide was primarily used for cockroaches, ants, subterranean termites, and mothproofing. However, it irreversibly reacts with keratin and other proteins. Because of its toxicity, it was banned in the US for most uses in 1974 and banned for all uses in 1987.

Synonyms and Related Terms

FTIR

Chemical structure

HHDN; Octalene [Hyman & Co.]; Compound 118; 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro- 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene

Trade names: Aldres; Aldrite

Risks

• Extremely hazardous.
• Toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion.
• LD50=36-60 mg/kg. Suspected teratogen and carcinogen.
• Chem Service: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Very soluble in most organic solvents. Insoluble in water.
• Composition = C12H8Cl6 (mol. wt. = 364.9 g/m)
• CAS = 309-00-2
• Flash Point = 66 C
• Melting Point = 104 C

Resources and Citations

• MuseumPests.net: Pesticide Database
• Nancy Odegaard, Alyce Sadongei, and associates, Old Poisons, New Problems, Altimira, Walnut Creek, CA, 2005
• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: history of agriculture [Accessed March 26, 2002] for date of introduction
• G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art, ICCROM, Rome, 1991
• Stephen R. Edwards, Bruce M. Bell, Mary Elizabeth King, Pest Control in Museums: a Status Report 1980, Association of Sytematics Collections, Washington DC, 1980
• Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002 Comment: Interior use
• Wikipedia: Aldrin (Accessed Mar. 15, 2006 and Oct 2026)