DDT
DDT is an organochlorine insecticide used mainly to control mosquito-borne malaria; use on crops has generally been replaced by less persistent insecticides . It was extensively used during the Second World War among Allied troops and certain civilian populations to control insect typhus and malaria vectors, and was then extensively used as an agricultural insecticide after 1945 .DDT was banned for use in Sweden in 1970 and in the United States in 1972.
DDT is a colorless, crystalline, tasteless and almost odorless organochlorine known for its insecticidal properties and environmental impacts.
DDT has been formulated in multiple forms.including solutions in xylene orpetroleum distillates, emulsifiable concentrates, water-wettable powders, granules, aerosols, smoke candles and charges for vaporizers and lotions.
Many species of insects rapidly develop populations resistant to DDT; the high stability of the compound leads to its accumulation in insects that constitute the diet of other animals, with toxic effects on them, especially certain birds and fishes. These two disadvantages had severely decreased the value of DDT as an insecticide by the 1960s, and severe restrictions were imposed on its use in the United States in 1972. The full name of DDT is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.
Use of DDT
In 1940s, Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane was developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides. It was initially used with great effect to combat malaria, typhus and other insect-borne human diseases among both civilian and military populations.
In 1972, United States banned its use but some countries still using ths chemical compound.
Use at low environmental doses effects from DDT on Human health are unknown but exposure to its high doses effects Human health and human may have symptoms like vomiting, tremors or shakiness, and seizures. The laboratory animal studies showed effects on the liver and reproduction.
DDT is considered a possible human carcinogen.