Organochlorine compound
Organochlorine compound
An Organochlorine compound (pronunciation: /ˌɔːrɡənoʊˈklɔːraɪn ˈkɒmpaʊnd/) is a type of chemical compound that contains at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom. These compounds can be either synthetic or naturally occurring.
Etymology
The term "Organochlorine compound" is derived from the words "organic" and "chlorine". The prefix "organo-" refers to the presence of carbon-based compounds, while "chlorine" refers to the chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17.
Types of Organochlorine Compounds
Organochlorine compounds can be classified into several types, including:
- Aliphatic organochlorine compounds: These are compounds where the chlorine atom is connected to an aliphatic carbon atom. Examples include chloroform and carbon tetrachloride.
- Aromatic organochlorine compounds: These are compounds where the chlorine atom is connected to an aromatic carbon atom. Examples include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT).
- Chlorinated pesticides: These are a type of pesticide that contains chlorine. Examples include DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin.
Health Effects
Exposure to certain organochlorine compounds can have harmful effects on human health. Some compounds, such as DDT and PCBs, are known to be endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects.
Environmental Impact
Organochlorine compounds are often persistent organic pollutants. They can remain in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms, and have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
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