Usually refers to organochlorine pesticides, although it could also refer to any chlorinated organic compound. The organochlorine pesticides can be classified by their molecular structures. The cyclopentadiene pesticides are aliphatic, cyclic structures made from Diels-Alder reactions of pentachlorocyclopentadiene, and include chlordane, nonachlor, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, mirex, and kepone. Other subclasses of organochlorine pesticides are the DDT family and the hexachlorocyclohexane isomers. All of these pesticides have low solubilities and volatilities and are resistant to breakdown processes in the environment. Their toxicities and environmental persistence have led to their restriction or suspension for most uses in the United States.

See Also

Organophosphate