PESTICIDES AND METABOLITES

The following organochlorine pesticides and metabolites analyzed by this lab are listed as target analytes in contaminant monitoring programs and have triggered fish consumption advisories.

• Chlordanes (alpha-and gamma-chlordane; cis- and trans- nonachlor: oxychlordane)
• DDT
• DDE
• DDD
• dieldrin
• heptachlor epoxide
• hexachlorobenzene
• lindane
• mirex
• toxaphene
• hexachlorobenzene

All of these compounds are considered neurotoxicants and most are known or suspected human carcinogens.

Although use of most of these pesticides was banned in the 70's, they persist in the environment because they are not easily degraded or metabolized. They are readily stored in fatty tissues and can bioaccumulate through the aquatic food chain.