DDT
Action/Use:
- Insecticide
Use:
First described in 1874 by Othmar Zeidler, German chemist, its insecticidal value was not uncovered until 1939 through the work of Paul Muller in Switzerland. Brought into the U.S. for testing in September 1942, it was later imported in quantity and by early 1944, domestic production for military use was under way. DDT gained rapidly in popularity because of its very high toxicity to insects, relatively low hazard to warm-blooded animals, and the fact that discovery came when rotenone and pyrethrum supplies were very low due to WW II. Later it was found that DDT is accumulative in the fatty tissue of warm-blooded animals and that special care was required for application to dairy cattle and animals raised for their food value. Build-up of red spider mites often occurs after application of DDT. The fact that a number of major insect pests have shown their capacity to develop a hereditary resistance to DDT has resulted in some displacement by other chemicals. Also used as mosquito vector control for the eradication of malaria in many countries. Cucurbits, young tomato plants, and beans are injured by normal dosages and DDT may accumulate in the top soil layer where heavy applications are made annually to crops such as apples.
Identification
Common Name(s): DDT (ISO, BSI, JMAF, ESA); ; Dicophane (BAN); ; Zeidane (France)
Chemistry
Properties: DDT is extremely nonvolatile. Crystallization point min. 90°C; acidity (as sulfuric acid) max. 0.3% in weight; water: max. 1% in weight. DDT is unstable in the presence of alkalies and is incompatible with alkaloid nicotine and dolomite. Bordeaux mixture, ferbam, and some clays may cause a slight decomposition. Soluble in apolar organic solvents. Limited solubility in aliphatic oils.
Mode of Action / Resistance Management
Mode of Action: Sodium channel modulator
Action Group: IRAC Group 3
Registration
U.S.A.: All uses, except emergency public health uses, and a few other uses permitted on a case-by-case basis, cancelled as of January 1, 1973. Work continues under the Stockholm Convention toward the eventual elimination of DDT use in African malarial programs, which constitute its only remaining uses. No adequate replacements for DDT have been determined.
Environmental Guidelines
Hazards: Fish: Toxic
Water Solubility: 0.0055 ppm
Safety Guidelines
Signal Word: CAUTION
Toxicity Class: III
Toxicity: Tech (Rat): Oral LD50 113 mg/kg.
Suppliers and Branded Products
Basic Producers:
Discontinued Names:
Arkotine*
Big Daddy*
Damekta*
Didigam*
Didimac*
Digmar*
Genitox*
Gesapon*
Gesarex*
Gesarol*
Gexarex*
Gyron*
Heliotox*
Ixodex*
Kopsol*
Micro DDT 75*
Neocid*
Noita-koisumu*
R50*
Vantal*
