Field evaluation of termiticide movement - phase II
Abstract
In recent years, chlordane has been found in fish in Missouri at high levels. The Missouri Department of Health has issued advisories against fish consumption in a number of lakes and rivers because of chlordane contamination, and the commercial sale of fish from the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers within the State of Missouri has recently been banned. These events cause concern about the impacts of chlordane and speculation as to the source of the chlordane in water. One possible route of chlordane movement is by subsurface leaching from soil around building foundations treated for termite control and subsequent discharge from foundation drain pipes into sewers or streams. This study evaluated the fate of two termiticides applied along the outside of foundation walls constructed with drain pipes resting on foundation footings. The termiticides were chlordane and chlorpyrifos. The objective was to quantify the mass of termiticide leaching from treated soil through the foundation drain. Although chlordane is now banned, it might still be leaching. Therefore, the results of this study provide a basis for evaluating the importance of this source of chlordane contamination of urban lakes and streams and for evaluating the leaching potential of chlorpyrifos, a termiticide currently used for termite control.