At a glance
| Chemical family | Organochlorine — cyclodiene insecticide (stable metabolite of aldrin) |
| CAS number | 60-57-1 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans); Stockholm Convention Annex A (elimination); Canada SOR/2025-270 prohibited |
| Where you encounter it | Legacy termite treatments; household dust and indoor air in homes treated before 1990; food chain (fish, dairy, root vegetables); environmental metabolite of aldrin |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Not in any modern product. Detectable in dust and indoor air of homes treated for termites 20+ years ago. One of the most persistent indoor contaminants ever measured |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | POP Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 — banned. Original dirty dozen Stockholm POP. Regulatory |
| United States | EPA cancelled all registrations by 1987. CERCLA hazardous substance. Listed on California Proposition 65 (cancer). Regulatory |
| Canada | Prohibited under the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 (SOR/2025-270), in force 30 June 2026. Regulatory — Canada authority |
| International | Stockholm Convention Annex A (elimination) — original dirty dozen POP. IARC Group 3. Linked to Parkinson's disease in epidemiological studies (causal relationship not established). Regulatory — International authority |
What it is
Dieldrin is a chlorinated cyclodiene insecticide, closely related to aldrin — in fact, aldrin converts to dieldrin in soil, water, and living organisms. Dieldrin is more chemically stable than aldrin and significantly more toxic. It was used directly as a pesticide (agriculture, termite control, public health insect control) and also forms as the primary metabolite when aldrin is applied. IARC classified dieldrin as Group 3 in 1987. Despite insufficient cancer evidence in humans, dieldrin is acutely neurotoxic (it acts on GABA receptors) and has been associated with Parkinson's disease in epidemiological studies, though a causal link is not established.
Where it shows up in bedding
Dieldrin was never used in bedding products. Its bedroom relevance is well-documented: studies have found measurable dieldrin in household dust and indoor air of homes where subterranean termite treatments were applied before the compound was banned. In treated homes, dieldrin can volatilise from foundation soil into indoor air and settle in dust, creating a persistent low-level exposure during sleep. Food-chain bioaccumulation (fish, dairy) is the primary exposure route for the general population.
Citations
- IARC (1987). Aldrin and Dieldrin. IARC Monographs, Suppl. 7. Source Peer-reviewed
- ATSDR (2002). Toxicological Profile for Aldrin/Dieldrin. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Source Regulatory
- Government of Canada. Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 (SOR/2025-270). Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
How long does dieldrin last in a home?
Dieldrin is one of the most persistent indoor contaminants ever measured. Studies have detected it in household dust and indoor air more than 20 years after the last termite treatment. Its soil half-life is estimated at 3-5 years, but in protected environments under buildings it can persist much longer. If your home was treated before 1990, professional testing can determine whether dieldrin remains.
Is dieldrin linked to Parkinson's disease?
Several epidemiological studies have found elevated dieldrin levels in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, and occupational exposure to dieldrin has been associated with increased Parkinson's risk. However, a causal relationship has not been established. Dieldrin acts on GABA receptors and is a potent neurotoxicant — mechanisms plausibly relevant to neurodegeneration — but the evidence remains associative, not conclusive.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.