Question

The pesticide used in the foundation of buildings for preventing termite attack is

• A. DDT
• B. BHC
• C. Endrin
• D. Aldrin

Hint:

Aldrin, Dieldrin, and Heptachlor are the "Dirty Dozen" persistent organic pollutants. In old textbooks, Aldrin is always the answer for termite foundation treatment!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Termites are destructive social insects that feed on wood and cellulose. Subterranean termites often enter buildings through the foundation. Soil treatment with persistent pesticides creates a chemical barrier to prevent their entry.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Aldrin (Option 4) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide (Organochlorine). It was historically the "gold standard" for termite control in building foundations because of its extreme persistence in soil and high toxicity to termites. It can remain active in the soil for decades, providing a long-lasting barrier.
Comparing others:
- DDT (Option 1): Effective against many insects but lacks the specific soil persistence and efficacy against termites required for foundation treatment.
- BHC (Option 2): Also an organochlorine (Gammaxene), used for agricultural pests but less effective than Aldrin for long-term termite barriers.
- Endrin (Option 3): Extremely toxic and persistent but primarily used as an agricultural insecticide/rodenticide rather than a specialized termiticide for construction.
Note: While Aldrin is now banned in many countries under the Stockholm Convention due to environmental persistence, it remains the historically correct answer in agricultural and pest control examinations regarding building foundations. Modern alternatives include Chlorpyrifos or Imidacloprid.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Aldrin is the persistent organochlorine traditionally used for long-term termite proofing in building foundations.