DDT

Chemical stability:  DDT degrades to DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene)

 

DDE is less toxic than DDT but more resilient in the environment

DDT has a broad spectrum of activity. It was banned in several countries in the 1970s because of ecological considerations

Still used extensively to reduce insect-transmitted diseases:

Persistent in the environment and resistant to complete degradation by microorganisms Photodegradation can occur

Readily adsorbed onto sediments and soil

Most DDT that enters water becomes firmly attached to soil particles

Readily taken up by microorganisms and is therefore passed on through the food chain

Normally stored in fatty tissue