Chlordane pesticide, molecular model. Chlordane was used as an agricultural pesticide and an ant killer between 1948 and 1988, when it was banned due to its health effects. Exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, digestive system and liver, and high levels can cause convulsions and death. It breaks down very slowly, and can last for over 20 years in the soil. Two molecules of chlordane are shown, one with atoms depicted as rods (lower left) and the other with atoms depicted as balls. In both, carbon atoms are grey, chlorine is green and hydrogen is white.