Abstract
This chapter discusses dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as one of the most widely used and well-studied pesticides ever synthesized. Commercial grade DDT also contains the compounds dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), both of which are also metabolites of DDT and have similar chemical properties. DDT is an extremely persistent compound due to its near insolubility in water and tendency to bioaccumulate in fatty tissue and biomagnify throughout trophic levels. DDT usage began to decline as insects became resistant, alternative pesticides were developed, public awareness to DDT's environmental side effects increased, and governments began to restrict DDT use. DDT, DDE, and DDD are synthetic chemicals that are not naturally present in the environment. DDT enters the atmosphere from current spraying operations and from volatilization of residual DDT in soil and water from past use. Spray and aerosol application of DDT leads to significant loss of the pesticide to winds.
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