DDT

Synonyms

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; 1,1'-(2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene)bis(4-chlorobenzene); 1,1,1-Trichloor-2,2-bis(4-chloor fenyl)-ethaan [Dutch]; 1,1,1-Trichlor-2,2-bis(4-chlor-phenyl)-aethan [German]; 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl)ethane; 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane; 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane; 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane; 1,1,1-Tricloro-2,2-bis(4-cloro-fenil)-etano [Italian]; 1,1,1-Tricloro-2,2-bis(4-cloro-fenyl)-etano [Italian]; 1,1-Bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane; 2,2-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane; 4,4'-DDT; 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; Aavero-extra; Agritan; Anofex; Arkotine; Azotox M 33; Benzochloryl; Bosan Supra; Bovidermol; Chlofenotan; Chlorophenothan; Chlorophenothane; Chlorophenothanum; Chlorophenothanum technicum; Chlorophenotoxum; Chlorphenothan; Chlorphenotoxum; Citox; Clofenotane; Clofenotane technique; Clofenotano [INN-Spanish]; Clofenotanum [INN-Latin]; D.D.T. technique; DDT 50 WP; Deoval; Detox; Detox (pesticide); Detoxan; Dibovin; Dicophane; Didigam; Didimac; Dodat; Dykol; Estonate; Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-; Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-; Genitox; Gesafid; Gesarol; Guesarol; Gyron; Hildit; Ivoran; Ixodex; Klorfenoton [Swedish Pharmacopoeia]; Kopsol; Mutoxan; Neocid; Neocid (VAN); Neocidol; Neocidol (solid); OMS 0016 [French]; OMS 16; PEB1; Parachlorocidum; Pentachlorin; Pentech; Penticidum; Rukseam; Santobane; Tafidex; Trichlorobis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane; Zerdane; alpha,alpha-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-beta,beta,beta-trichloroethane; p'-Zeidane [France]; p,p'-DDT; p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Organochlorine Pesticides

Description

Colorless crystals or off-white powder with a slight, aromatic odor. [pesticide]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Formerly used as an insecticide and pesticide; [HSDB]

Comments

Still used in some parts of the world, DDT persists in the environment and in animal tissues. It has been especially harmful to predator species of birds. High-dose animal studies show that organochlorine insecticides are toxic to the liver. [LaDou, p. 553] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in farmworkers; [Kanerva, p. 1777] "Despite the billions of pounds of DDT that have been manufactured and used, hepatic injury acquired as the result of occupational or environmental exposure to it remains to be reported." [Zimmerman, p. 413]

All agricultural uses cancelled in 1972 by EPA; [Sullivan, p. 660]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

1 mg/m3

1 mg/m3

1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction

500 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: Exposure of volunteers to 423 mg/m3 for periods of 1 hour/day for 6 days has been reported to only cause eye irritation [Neal et al. 1994]. It has been reported that 500 mg/kg is the lethal oral dose [Windholz 1983]. [Note: An oral dose of 500 mg/kg is equivalent to a 70­kg worker being exposed to about 23,000 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

1.6E-07 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

1-2 years to eliminate absorbed dose; [TDR, p. 440]

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Confirmed Animal

Other Poison

Organochlorine

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Organochlorine insecticides, acute poisoning

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing