1. A highly toxic synthetic pesticide belonging to the organochlorine family, formerly used to control insects on crops and in public health programs but now banned or restricted in most countries due to environmental persistence and bioaccumulation.
Usage: chemistry; environmental science; largely obsolete in modern use

Examples

• Dieldrin was widely used as an insecticide in the mid-20th century before its environmental dangers became apparent.
• The pesticide dieldrin accumulates in animal tissues and can be passed through food chains.
• Regulatory agencies banned dieldrin in many countries due to its persistence in soil and water.
• Researchers found traces of dieldrin in wildlife populations decades after its use was discontinued.
• The chemical structure of dieldrin makes it resistant to breakdown in the environment.