Chlordane can contaminate ground and surface water.
Chlordane, sometimes called clordan, is an organochlorine compound originally used as a pesticide. This substance was often used below slabs and foundations to discourage termite infestations in areas prone to termite problems. It was banned in the mid-1980s in the United States, but quantities of the chemical still persist under some homes. Chlordane is a dangerous pesticide, and can cause serious health problems in humans and animals exposed to it. Chlordane can persist for many years in the environment and degrades slowly, making it a risk to people who live in areas previously treated with the chemical.
Neurological Damage
Direct exposure to chlordane can cause neurological problems. According to an original report by the National Academies Press from shortly before chlordane was banned, chlordane poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, involuntary tremors, sweating, nausea, difficulty sleeping and general malaise. In serious cases, this chemical may cause seizures, incontinence, memory loss, personality changes, unconsciousness and death. Children exposed to chlordane early in life may be excitable, uncoordinated and prone to convulsions or seizures well after the initial exposure.
Increased Cancer Risk
Chlordane may increase the risk of testicular, mammary or other cancers, but it is currently not classified as a carcinogen. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, mice fed low levels of chlordane eventually developed liver cancer. Little information is available about cancer risk in humans, but the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports that men exposed to persistent organochlorine pesticides like chlordane may have a higher risk of testicular germ tumors, or TGCTs. Evidence suggests that exposure to these pesticides in utero or during breast feeding may predispose young men to develop this type of tumor.
Liver Damage
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, chlordane exposure may cause changes in liver function. Japanese workers who were exposed to chlordane regularly over a long period of time developed minor changes in the function of their liver, while lab animals exposed over a long period showed serious liver problems. Chlordane under a slab can leach into ground water or otherwise spread through the environment, exposing many people to its effects.
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