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Dieldrin is an insecticide and a breakdown product of another insecticide called Aldrin. Dieldrin and aldrin were widely used on crops like cotton and corn from the 1950s to 1970. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cancelled
all uses of Aldrin and dieldrin in 1970. In 1972, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved aldrin and dieldrin for killing termites. The manufacturer of aldrin and dieldrin cancelled the insecticides’ registration
for termite control in 1987. Since then, aldrin and dieldrin have not been used in the U.S. In general, levels of aldrin and dieldrin in drinking water are very low.
Aldrin and dieldrin (also known by their lengthy chemical names, abbreviated as HHDN and HEOD, respectively) are insecticides formerly used to control soil-dwelling and wood boring insects, including termites and ants. Due to their high toxicity, they have been banned in most countries but they are persistent pollutants, remaining in soil for many years in temperate climates.
They may arrive in drinking water through banned insecticide use or industrial contaminants.
Health Effects of Aldrin and Dieldrin
Aldrin and dieldrin are highly toxic to the liver and central nervous system. Although they have been shown to cause tumors in mice, the results are not consistent across other mammal species. The World Health Organization reports:
All the available information on aldrin and dieldrin taken together, including studies on humans, supports the view that these chemicals make very little contribution, if any, to the incidence of cancer in humans. (see PDF)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies them as Group 3—“unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans.”
EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 0.0
Epic Water Filters testing for Aldrin & Dieldrin:
Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher: >99.8% for both aldrin & diedrin
Epic Nano Water Filter Pitcher: >99.8% for both aldrin & diedrin
Epic Outdoor Adventure Bottle Filter: >99.8% for both aldrin & diedrin
Epic Urban Bottle Filter: Not tested / no claims
Epic Smart Shield: Not tested / no claims