DDT pesticide

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DDT pesticide

• Kimberly Francis

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What is DDT?
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a
organochlorine contact insecticide that kills by
acting as a nerve poison. Its insecticidal
properties were discovered by the Swiss scientist
Paul Müller working for J.R. Geigy in 1942
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DDT was the first synthetic pesticide of the
modern age. It promised much, but ultimately
created widespread concern as an environmental
hazard.
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Residue in foods
DDT is very fat-soluble and is found in fatty
foods such as meat And dairy products. Even in
countries where DDT is banned, they still find
residue of DDT in the food.
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• DDT is moderately toxic to mammals.

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Chronic Effects

• DDT has had effects on the following
• the nervous system
• liver
• kidneys
• and immune system

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Ecological Effects
DDT and its breakdown products have widespread
persistence in the environment, and a high
potential to bio accumulate. It has a reported
half-life in the environment of 2-15 years in
most soils.   
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Effects on Animals
DDT is highly toxic to fish. Birds DDT and its
metabolites can lower the reproductive rate of
birds by causing eggshell thinning which leads to
egg breakage, causing embryo deaths. Sensitivity
to DDT varies considerably according to species.
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Global Contamination
DDT is one of nine persistent organic pollutants
(POPs) which accumulate, and which are
transported by air and water currents from warmer
climates to temperate zones, where they have
never been used. The process of degradation is
dramatically slowed down in cooler climates.
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The global risk of adverse effects to human
health and the environment has led the
international community to mandate the UN
Environment Program (UNEP) to convene an
intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) for
a POPs Convention to phase out production and
use. The first INC meeting takes place in June
1998. This action endorses the recommendations of
the Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety
(IFCS) Ad Hoc Working Group on POPs.
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DDT Restrictions
Total banCanada 1985Chile 1985Cuba
1970Liechtenstein 1986Korea 1986Poland
1976Singapore 1984Switzerland 1986
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DDT Ban Takes Effect
The general use of the pesticide DDT will no
longer be legal in the United States after today,
ending nearly three decades of application during
which time the once-popular chemical was used to
control insect pests on crop and forest lands,
around homes and gardens, and for industrial and
commercial purposes.
EPA press release - December 31, 1972