Hey guys,
Recently was under my house doing some work to replace some old duct runs that have deteriorated over 20 odd years. I noticed a sign on one of the pillars stating:
WARNING:
This area has been treated with a poisonous chemical as a preventative to subterannean termites. Exclude children and pets from this area:
Chemical used: Aldrin: 0.5%
At first I didn't think much of it, but got enquisitive and started researching Aldrin. Turns out it was originally used in Australia for spraying fields as a pesticide. Then sometime in the 1970's it was banned due to levels of contamination in Agricultural lands which passed down into food we eat. Though banned for use as an agricultural pesticide spray back then during and after that point in time it was allowed for the use as a termite pesticide. This use was banned around 1985-87. The pesticide is classified as a probabale carciogen by the EPA (Based on studies). Studies have shown it may be linked to developing early onset Parkinson's disease and dementia.
This pesticide basically breaks down very slowly in the environment. Especially when not exposed to light (Crawl space under house) its half life is 60 years. In WA certain areas target by the Argentine ant eradication program in the 1970's still have high levels of contaminated soil:
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/health/tests-reveal-poison-…
So unbeknownst at the time i've been under the house at least 4-5 times in the past, have crawled around installing cables and the like & have been totally oblivous I am (More than likely) crawling around contaminated soil that was sprayed around 33-35 years ago which very likely is still contaminated today.
At the moment I am looking at getting some soil sample done through ARL group to see what the levels are. But I am struggling to find a lab that able to offer a blood test that can test for it. Nutripath & Clinical labs offered a test referred to as the Chlorinated Pesticides Bloth test (outsourced to a company in the US called Genova). Unfortunately Genova doesn't do this test anymore so both these labs no longer offer it at this stage.
Perhaps I am being a little paranoid, then again at least from what I have read perhaps not. Ultimately the blood test (Whereever I can get it) should hopefully put my mind at ease, especially if i have no reading for Dieldrin in the blood.
If anyone knows where I might be able to find a place that offers this blood test it would be much appreicated. There are probably 1000's of houses out there that have been treated with this pesticide for termite control & people are oblivous to it.
UPDATE; I ended up getting a blood test in order to check for any dieldrin in me.. Result came back as ND (Not detected).. Basically meaning if I got any exposure it was extremely minor.. Going forward, will be wearing the right gear next time I go under the house.
They likely banned it because it was bad for people spraying/applying it day in, day out. Probably not a major issue just going under the house 5 times.