Aldrin

May 1994

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)

CAS number: 309-00-2

NIOSH REL: 0.25 mg/m3 TWA [skin]; NIOSH considers aldrin to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].

Current OSHA PEL: 0.25 mg/m3 TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.25 mg/m3 TWA [skin]

Description of substance: Colorless to dark-brown crystalline solid with a mild chemical odor.

LEL: Noncombustible Solid

Original (SCP) IDLH: 100 mg/m3

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: No useful data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base the IDLH for aldrin. The chosen IDLH, therefore, has been estimated from the statement by Baskin [1975] that severe symptoms follow swallowing or skin contamination with 15 to 50 mg/kg (average adult). According to Deichmann [1973], aldrin vapor gave no effect in man at 18 mg/m3 during exposure for 1 day.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal concentration data:

					Adjusted
		LC50	LCLo		0.5-hr	Derived
Species	Reference	(ppm)	(ppm)	Time	LC (CF)	Value
Rat	Izmerov et al. 1982	—–	5.8 mg/m3	4 hr	12 mg/m3 (2.0)	1.2 mg/m3

Lethal dose data:

			LL50	LCLo		Derived
Species	Reference	Route	(mg/kg)	(mg/kg)	Adjusted LD	Value
Rabbit	AAPCO 1966	oral	50	—–	350 mg/m3	35 mg/m3
G. pig	AAPCO 1966	oral	33	—–	231 mg/m3	23 mg/m3
Rat	Kenaga and Morgan 1978	oral	39	—–	273 mg/m3	27 mg/m3
Mouse	Kenaga and Morgan 1978	oral	44	—–	308 mg/m3	31 mg/m3

Human data: No effects were noted after exposure to 18 mg/m3 for 1 day [Deichmann 1973]. Ingestion of 25.6 mg/kg caused convulsions within 20 minutes [Ottolenghi et al. 1974]. [Note: An oral dose of 25.6 mg/kg is equivalent to a 70-kg worker being exposed to about 1,200 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

Revised IDLH: 25 mg/m3Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for aldrin is 25 mg/m3 based on acute toxicity data in humans [Deichmann 1973; Ottolenghi et al. 1974]. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the “most protective” respirators be worn for aldrin at concentrations above 0.25 mg/m3.]

References:

AAPCO [1966]. Pesticide chemicals official compendium. Topeka, KS: Association of American Pesticide Control Officials, Inc., p. 7.
Baskin AD, ed. [1975]. Handling guide for potentially hazardous materials. Oxford, IN: The Richard B. Cross Company, PC 0180.
Deichmann WB [1973]. The chronic toxicity of organochlorine pesticides in man. In: Pesticides and the environment: a continuing controversy. Vol. II. New York, NY: Intercontinental Medical Book Corporation, pp. 347-420.
Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 73.
Kenaga EE, Morgan RW [1978]. Commercial and experimental organic insecticides (1978 revision). Entomological Society of America Special Publication 78-1:12.
Ottolenghi AD, Haseman JK, Suggs F [1974]. Teratogenic effects of aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin in hamsters and mice. Teratology 9:11.