Chlordane For Termites

For years, people have been in constant search for an effective treatment that would stop termite infestations in most homes. There have been few pesticides especially created for eradicating termites. One of which is the man-made chemical known as chlordane, which have been used in the United States for several decades. The more common trade name of chlordane for termites is Octachlor and Velsicol that usually has a mildly irritating odor.

Chlordane for termites is usually sprayed on the foundations of homes that were massively infested with the destructive insects. It is quite effective since termites are observed to die on the spot after having close contact with the powerful chemical. However, chlordane are not solely for termites, it was also used as a fumigating agent for lawns, agricultural crops and grades. Chlordane for termites was actually prevalently used up until the year 1988. It is quite distressing to discover that there are actually 50 million individuals in America that have lived in homes that were treated with chlordane. This occurred during the pre-banned days and the people are still exposed to the residues of the chemicals years ago.

It was later discovered that the chemical is actually quite harmful not only to the environment for also for human exposure as well. This is because the particles of chlordane clings strongly to the top layers of the soil and can possibly penetrate to the ground waters. It is quite alarming to know that chlordane actually remains in the topsoil for more than 20 years, and can pose great hazards to animals and plants. Health authorities were especially startled to find chlordane deposits in the fats in fishes. This will mean that people will possibly consume chlordane in great amounts, which can cause many health complications.

In 1988, The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the use of chlordane for termites and for any other purpose. This is mainly because studies conducted on the said chemical actually showed some signs of cancer causing agents. Aside from possible oral intake, chlordane can also be absorbed through the skin, and through inhalation of air that is contaminated with the chemical. People who have had long-term exposure to the chemical usually suffer from vision problems, diarrhea, jaundice and stomach upset. That is why people who have empty containers of the chemical are advised to dispose it properly to avoid further contamination. Nowadays, chlordane is no longer available in the market due to the high health risks. Boric acid is now the most common ingredient in most of the anti-termite products, which is widely accepted to be safe and odor free.