Dirty dozen

DDT

Pesticide still used for malaria control in the tropics. Banned for all but emergency uses in the United States in 1972.

Mirex

Insecticide and flame retardant not used or manufactured in the United States since 1978.

PCB's

Polychlorinated biphenyls

Aldrin

Pesticide widely used on corn and cotton until 1970. EPA allowed its use for termites until manufacturer cancelled registration in 1987. Closely related to dieldrin.

Chlordane

Pesticide on agricultural crops, especially for termites

Dieldrin

Pesticide widely used on corn and cotton until 1970. EPA allowed its use for termites until manufacturer cancelled registration in 1987. Aldrin turns into this.

Endrin

Used as a pesticide to control insects. Animals can metabolize it.

Heptachlor

Insecticide in household and agricultural uses until 1988. Also a component and a breakdown product of chlordane.

Hexachlorobenzene

Pesticide and fungicide used on seeds

Toxaphene

Insecticide used primarily on cotton. Most uses in the U.S. were banned in 1982

Polychlorinated Dioxins & Polychlorinated Furans

Two notorious classes of "unintentional" pollutants