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What is chlordane?
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Chlordane is a man-made pesticide that was used in the United States from 1948
to 1988. It is a thick liquid that has a mild, irritating smell. In 1983, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) banned all uses of chlordane
except to kill termites because of concern about damage to the environment and
harm to human health. In 1988, all uses of chlordane except for fire ant
control in power transformers were banned.
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How does chlordane get into bodies of water in
Illinois?
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Chlordane entered the environment when it was used as a pesticide on crops and
on lawns and gardens, and to control termites. It enters bodies of water after
improper waste disposal or from run-off from treated areas. Chlordane binds
strongly to soil and sediments and can stay in the soil for more than 20 years.
It breaks down very slowly. Chlordane doesnt dissolve easily in water. It
builds up in the tissues of fish, birds and mammals.
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How do fish become contaminated with chlordane?
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Chlordane doesnt dissolve easily in water. It builds up in the
fatty tissues of fish, birds and mammals living near contaminated sediment and
through eating contaminated food such as smaller fish.
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Why does the state issue chlordane advisories?
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Advisories are issued to protect the most sensitive populations from
adverse health effects. Studies have shown that exposure to chlordane can cause
adverse health effects in fetuses, nursing babies and children younger than 15
years of age. The advisories may be overprotective for women beyond
childbearing age and adult men.
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What are the potential health effects for people who eat fish
contaminated with chlordane?
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Laboratory tests in animals have shown that long-term exposure to
high doses of chlordane causes adverse health effects including liver damage,
reproductive damage and developmental damage. Chlordane affects the nervous
system, the digestive system and the liver in people and animals. It is not
known whether chlordane affects the ability of people to have children or
whether it causes birth defects. Animals exposed before birth or while nursing
developed behavioral effects later. The USEPA classifies chlordane as a
probable human carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical). This means that chlordane
has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, but there is not enough
data to determine if chlordane causes cancer in humans.
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Is chlordane stored in the human body for long periods of
time?
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Yes.
Chlordane is easily absorbed by the body and is stored in fatty tissue. It is
eliminated slowly from the body; complete elimination can take many years.
Since chlordane is not eliminated well, it can build up in the kidneys and
liver over time.
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How can I reduce or prevent exposure to chlordane?
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Exposure can be reduced by following IDPHs fish consumption
advisories. In addition, people can reduce their intake of chlordane by
removing the skin and fatty areas from fish fillets. Do not fry fish. Instead,
barbecue, broil or bake fish on an elevated rack that allows fat to drip away.
You also can poach fish if you discard the broth.
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What about the fish I buy in the grocery store? Should I be concerned
that they may be contaminated with chlordane?
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The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the fish sold in grocery
stores. FDA has a testing program to sample some of the fish that is sold, but
not all of the fish are tested. You should follow the advice for preparing and
cooking fish to reduce your exposure to chlordane.
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Should I be concerned about children swimming in bodies of water in
Illinois because of chlordane contamination?
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Chlordane stays in the environment for a long time, but it is
unlikely to contaminate surface water bodies because it is insoluble in water
and quickly binds to soil particles. Therefore, contact with, or accidental
swallowing of the water will result in minimal exposure to chlordane.
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What is being done to reduce the amount of chlordane entering the
environment from man-made sources?
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Chlordane is no longer used in the U.S. Other, less toxic, pesticides
are being used to kill termites, agricultural pests and home garden pests. As
time passes, less chlordane will be present in the environment.
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