Toxicological profile of organochlorines aldrin and dieldrin: an Indian perspective.

Several epidemiological studies have suggested various environmental factors as a possible cause for increased incidence of various abnormalities. Of the various environmental contaminants, the most prevalent and the most discussed are the endocrine disrupting chemicals. Contact of such disruptors with humans has become inevitable today. They are cosmopolitan and present from agriculture to industrial sectors, even in day-to-day consumer products. Aldrin and dieldrin belong to one such class of substances which are known to have a toxic effect on various physiological systems of the human body. Despite an imposed ban on their manufacture and commercial use, these pesticides could still be detected in probable areas of consumption like agriculture. The present review discusses the known possible toxic effects of aldrin and dieldrin and their current existence in the ecosystem across India.