Factors Determining the Toxicity of Organic Pollutants to Animals and Plants - Organic Pollutants: An Ecotoxicological Perspective - page 56

taBLe 2.6
mode of action of Pollutants in animals
Pollutants type of toxic action Site of action consequence comments reference

OP and carbamate
insecticides

Neurotoxicity Acetylcholinesterase Disruption of synaptic

transmission

OPs include insecticides
and chemical warfare
agents

Eto (1974), Ballantyne
and Marrs (1992), Kuhr
and Dorough (1977)

DDT and related
compounds

Neurotoxicity Na + channels of axonal

membrane

Disturbance of nerve action
potential

Persistent insecticides Kuhr and Dorough

(1977), Brooks (1974),
Eldefrawi and
Eldefrawi (1990)

Dieldrin and other
cyclodiene insecticides

Neurotoxicity GABA receptors Can cause CNS disturbances Dieldrin is persistent and

highly toxic to animals

Brooks (1974), Eldefrawi
and Eldefrawi (1990),
Brooks (1992), Salgado
(1999)

Pyrethroids Neurotoxicity Na + channels of axonal

membrane

Similar action to DDT Selective insecticides Eldefrawi and Eldefrawi

(1990), Salgado (1999),
Leahey (1985)

Benzo[ a ]pyrene and other
PAHs

Mutagens and
carcinogens

DNA Mutagenesis can lead to

carcinogenesis

Little known about
consequences of mutation
other than carcinogenesis

Hodgson and Levi
(1994)