DDT is an organic pollutant that is insoluble in water and can accumulate in the food chain over 20-30 years. It was widely used as an insecticide for household and agricultural purposes until being banned due to its toxicity and carcinogenic properties. While DDT is no longer used, its breakdown products still persist in the environment due to its long residence period. International regulatory agencies monitor and restrict the use of DDT due to the health and environmental risks it poses.

1. DDT:
Banned But Still With Us?
Jenkins Macedo, ES&P 14

2. What is It?
 Organic pollutant
 Insoluble in universal solvent (water)
 Residence period 20-30 years
 It bio-accumulates in our food chain
 Toxic and carcinogenic

3. Forms of DDT
DDE
DDD

4. Uses?
Household Use
Agricultural Use
Malaria and other
Diseases Control

5. Spatial Distribution Poverty and Malaria

6. DDT TOXICOLOGY
Moderate Toxicity
(Warning)
Low Toxicity
(Caution)
Very Low
Toxicity
(Caution)
High
Toxicity
(Danger)
Oral
LD50
Less than 50 mg/kg 50 - 500 mg/kg 500 - 5000
mg/kg
Greater than 5000 mg/kg
Inhalation
LC50
Less than 0.2 mg/l 0.2 - 2 mg/l 2 - 20 mg/l Greater than 20 mg/l
Dermal LD50 Less than 200 mg/kg 200 - 2000
mg/kg
2000 - 5000
mg/kg
Greater than 5000 mg/kg
Eye Effects Corrosive Irritation
persisting for 7
days
Irritation
reversible within
7 days
No irritation
Skin Effects Corrosive Severe irritation
at 72 hours
Moderate
irritation at 72
hours
Mild or slight irritation at
72
Source: National Pesticide Information Center (2000)

7. Federal and International
Regulatory Agencies