Comments
The organochlorine insecticides include DDT, methoxychlor, lindane, and the cyclodienes (endrin, aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, dieldrin, and toxaphene). In poisonings by DDT and analogues (DDE & DDD), seizures are preceded by paresthesias and tremor while cyclodienes and toxaphene poisonings may present with seizure as the first symptom. Seizures after cyclodiene poisoning may appear as long as 48 hours after exposure. Lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, and endosulfan are efficiently absorbed across skin, while DDT, methoxychlor, toxaphene, mirex, and kepone are absorbed less well. [EPA Pesticides, p. 57] Cases of infants dying after skin exposure to large amounts of 1% lindane lotion have been reported. [Sullivan, p. 1066] Organochlorine insecticides are "pernicious environmental pollutants." In most areas of the world, they are either banned or severely restricted. "Recent hypotheses about subtle effects on endocrine disruption, including some cancers, following chronic or neonatal exposures to these chemicals at low levels, although important, are still far from substantiated." [Krieger, p. 1975-2016] See "DDT."