DDT

aka Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. A Persistent Organic Pollutant that can bioaccumulate (aka biomagnification). An endocrine disruptor. Builds up in fatty areas of the body. Affects reproduction. Probably carcinogenic.

Metabolites are DDE and DDD

DDT and DDE have a half life of between 6 and 10 years in the human body.

Banned for agricultural use in the USA in 1972. Banned for agricultural use worldwide since 2004.

Still used for public health purposes (such as malaria control) in developing countries.

References

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Created: 2026-01-15

Last Updated: 2026-01-17