Kimberly Francis

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

DDT was the first synthetic pesticide of the modern age. It promised much, but ultimately created widespread concern as an environmental hazard.

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.

DDT is moderately toxic to mammals.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 This action endorses the recommendations of the Inter- governmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) Ad Hoc Working Group on POPs.

Total ban Canada 1985 Chile 1985 Cuba 1970 Liechtenstein 1986 Korea 1986 Poland 1976 Singapore 1984 Switzerland 1986

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]