Problem
Organochlorine pollution
Other Names:
Excessive use of chlorinated hydrocarbonsAbuse of organochlorides
Organochlorine insecticide as pollutants
Organochlorine compounds as pollutants
Nature:
Organochlorines, also called chlorinated hydrocarbons, are synthetically formed as complex mixtures of thousands of compounds. Because the most chlorinated by-products remain unidentified and unknown, they are impossible to assess and control on a chemical-by-chemical basis compounds.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons are not water soluble, they tend to accumulate in fatty tissues of by living organisms and may remain in the body indefinitely. There are 11,000 chlorinated compounds created intentionally and thousands more created unintentionally. Furthermore, new chemicals are brought on the market much faster than toxicologists can evaluate their hazards.
Incidence:
DDT, lindane and chlordane have tumour-promoting (though no tumour-initiating) properties.
Narrower Problems:
Dioxin poisoningDDT as a pollutantChlordane pollutionPolychlorinated biphenyls as a health hazard Related Problems:
Nerve gases Aggravates:
Eggshell thinning Strategies:
Using chlorine-free paper Subject(s):
Fundamental Sciences → ChemicalsFundamental Sciences → Organic chemical compounds
Industry → Chemical products
Societal Problems → Pollution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST