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DDT pesticide

DDT pesticide. Kimberly Francis. 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 pesticide

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  1. DDT pesticide Kimberly Francis

  2. 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

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

  4. 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.

  5. DDT is moderately toxic to mammals.

  6. Chronic Effects • DDT has had effects on the following • the nervous system • liver • kidneys • and immune system

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. DDT Restrictions Total banCanada 1985Chile 1985Cuba 1970Liechtenstein 1986Korea 1986Poland 1976Singapore 1984Switzerland 1986

  12. 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]

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