Man-made pesticide. Introduced in 1939.

Pesticide widely used on agricultural crops. Probably most famous of pesticides.

Used to fight malaria

DDT breaks down into DDD and DDE

DDT can take more than 15 years to break down

Found in animals far from where they were it is used

Bioaccumulant in fish and marine mammals. Found concentrations in these animals many thousands of times higher than levels in water

DDT can be absorbed by some plants and by animals and humans who eat those plants

DDT is fat-soluble and stored in adipose tissues of humans and animals

Endocrine disruptor

Current Status in US [5]

Under FIFRA:

No US registration, most uses cancelled in 1972, all uses by 1989

tolerances on food crops revoked in 986

No US produciton, import, or export

DDE (a metbolite of DDT) regulated as a hazardous air pollutant (CAA)

Priority toxic pollutant (CWA)

DDT[1]

Probable human carcinogen

Damages liver

Temorarily damages to nervous system

Reduces reproductive success

Can cause liver cancer

Damages reproductive system

Eating contaminated fish and shellfish

Eating imported food exposed to DDT

Infant exposed through breast milk

Eating products from crops grown in contaminated soil

DDT is abosorbed in growing plants

Contaminated water

Atmospheric deposition

Soil and sediment runoff

Improper use and disposal

[1] UNEP - Persistent Organic Pollutants: Chemical Information. - www.chem.unep.ch/pops/alts02.html

[2] EPA - Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response. EPA 160-F-02-001. - www.epa.gov/international/toxics/pop.htm

[3] EPA Priority PBT Profiles - www.epa.gov/opptintr/pbt/cheminfo.htm

[4] ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Aldrin and Dieldrin. September 2002. - www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tpw.html