| Abstract |
A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of the health and environmental effects of endrin (1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-endo,endo-5,8-dimethanonapthalene) is presented. More than 600 references are cited. Endrin is used chiefly as an insecticide, particularly for the control of lepidopterous larvae that infest cotton crops. In 1971, total US consumption of endrin exceeded 600,000 kg. Endrin is highly toxic to mammals, birds, fish, and insects, but is generally nontoxic to plants. Acute exposure of mammals to endrin typically results in central nervous disorders, with convulsions leading to death through respiratory failure within two days. Symptoms of acute endrin exposure in humans include convulsions, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Chronic exposure of mammals to endrin may result in damage to the liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, adrenal gland, and spleen. Behavioral abnormalities, reproductive disorders, changes in carbohydrate metabolism, changes in blood composition, and other effects secondary to central nervous system disorders have also been observed following chronic exposure of mammals to sublethal doses of endrin. No malignancies attributable to endrin have been reported, but chromosomal abnormalities and teratogenesis have been induced in several mammalian species by endrin. Endrin is dissipated from the environment by photochemical and thermal decomposition and by microbial degradation. Relatively few bacteria can degrade endrin, but many species of algae and fungi exhibit this ability. Environmental contamination by endrin appears to be restricted to areas where the compound is used intensively; background concentrations in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere at locations distant from areas of heavy use are generally below the levels of detection. (ERA citation 04:052234) |
