chlordane

American  

[klawr-deyn, klohr-] / ˈklɔr deɪn, ˈkloʊr- /

Also chlordan

noun

1. a colorless, viscous, water-insoluble, toxic liquid, C 10 H 6 Cl 8 , used as an insecticide.

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chlordane British  

/ ˈklɔːdæn, ˈklɔːdeɪn /

noun

1. a white insoluble toxic solid existing in several isomeric forms and usually used, as an insecticide, in the form of a brown impure liquid. Formula: C 10 H 6 Cl 8

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chlordane Scientific  

/ klôr′dān′ /

1. A colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that occurs in several isomers and was formerly used as an insecticide. Because it can damage the liver and nervous system and remains as a toxin in the environment for many years, chlordane was banned in 1988. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₆ Cl ₈ .

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Etymology

Origin of chlordane

1945–50; chlor- ² + (in)dane an oily cyclic hydrocarbon, equivalent to ind- + -ane

Example Sentences

According to the lawsuit, by the time chlordane was banned by the federal government in 1988, “approximately 30 million homes and structures in the United States” had been treated with it.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022

In the lawsuit, the attorney general’s office said it anticipates the city will spend $35 million remediating sediment contaminated with chlordane and other toxic chemicals.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2022

In 1950, Dr. Arnold J. Lehman, who is the chief pharmacologist of the Food and Drug Administration, described chlordane as “one of the most toxic of insecticides,” adding, “Anyone handling it could be poisoned.”

From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2017

Health officials say high levels of arsenic, lead and chlordane are probably tied to lead paint and pesticides that stayed in the soil decades after their use was banned.

From Washington Times • May 29, 2016

A common insecticide for household use, including assorted uses in the kitchen, is chlordane.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson