*Edited by Aurel Nuro*

 Organochlorines (OC) are organic molecules with chlorine in their structure. Tere is a large number of organochlorine compounds known. Large amounts of chlorinated organic compounds are produced for industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, household purposes, etc. In many studies, the main focus is on OC that have been evaluated as environmental contaminants with toxic efects on humans. Diferent types of organochlorines have been produced throughout the world. Some of the most popular classes are organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, chlorinated alkanes, etc. Organochlorine compounds are very stable. Generally, they are molecules of moderate polarity (low solubility in water). Tis makes OCs easily soluble in fats. Tey are found in almost all environments: air, water, soil, sediments and biota samples. Tey can spread out easily in diferent geographic altitudes and latitudes. Volatile and semi-volatile OCs have the ability to travel far distances from the place where they were used. Some studies have reported some organochlorines in the North Pole at the same levels as the areas where they were produced or applied. Tey have the ability to bioaccumulate easily in biota. Passing through the food chain levels, they increase their concentrations (biomagnifying). Te main access pathways for OCs to the human body are through foods and exposures. Generally, they display their efects afer a relatively long period of exposure. Tis is the main reason why they were produced and used for a long time before their production and use was banned. Te most important health efects that organochlorines can cause are: mutagenic, endocrine-disruptor, carcinogenic and central nervous or peripheral disorders. Afer identifcation of the consequences, production of OCs and use was banned in many countries but their efects are still being seen many years later.

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