DDT CASE STUDY

What DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-

trichloroethane) was developed as
the first of the modern synthetic
insecticides in the 1940s. It was

is initially used with great effect to

combat malaria, typhus, and the
other insect-borne human
diseases among both military and

DDT civilian populations. It also was

effective for insect control in crop
and livestock production,
institutions, homes, and
gardens. DDT's quick success as
a pesticide and broad use in the
United States and other countries
led to the development of
resistance by many insect pest
species. .
 DDT was invented by Paul
Who Hermann Müller. In 1948,
Paul Müller, a Swiss

invented
chemist, was awarded the
Nobel Prize in Physiology
or Medicine for his
DDT discovery of the
insecticidal properties and
uses of DDT. Othmar
Zeidler, on the other hand,
was a German physician
and scientist known for his
work on tuberculosis, but
he did not invent DDT
What DDT did • its long-term use had negative
impacts on the environment.
DDT is a persistent organic
to pollutant that accumulates in
soil, water, and living
organisms. It caused thinning
our of eggshells in bird species
like the bald eagle and the
peregrine falcon, leading to
environment reproductive failure and
population decline. DDT also
has negative effects on
aquatic ecosystems due to
biomagnification. Many
countries banned or restricted
its use, recognizing its
environmental risks.
 Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring"
led to a significant shift in

Silent public opinion and government

policies regarding pesticides.
The book exposed the harmful
effects of DDT and other

Spring chemicals on the environment

and human health, leading to a
ban on DDT in the United
States in 1972. The book also
spurred the creation of the
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the passage
of the Clean Air Act and Water
Pollution Control Act, which
aimed to protect the
environment and public health.
BAN OF
DDT
The ban on DDT was driven by evidence of its
harmful effects on the environment and human
health. DDT was found to accumulate in the
environment, causing disruptions to ecosystems
and declines in wildlife populations, Regulatory
agencies determined that the risks of DDT
outweighed its benefits, leading to its ban and
restriction in many countries. However, DDT is
still used in limited cases for disease control with
strict regulations.
Positive The ban on DDT has had
positive effects such as
environmental recovery,

outcomes conservation of wildlife,

improved human health, and
increased global cooperation.

resulting Ecosystems have had the

chance to recover, bird
populations have increased, and

from the human exposure to DDT has

decreased, resulting in
improved health outcomesThe

DDT ban ban has also fostered

international collaboration to
promote safer alternatives to
DDT.
 • The DDT case taught us the following
important lessons:
1. Environmental impact: DDT had long-term

What we
negative effects on the environment, especially
on wildlife populations.
• Bioaccumulation: DDT's persistence allowed it
to accumulate in the food chain resulting in
higher concentrations in animals higher up the

learnt
food chain.
1. Human health concerns: DDT was found to
have harmful effects on human health,
including reproductive disorders and certain
cancers.
2. Regulatory actions: The ban of DDT and other
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) led to
regulatory actions to restrict their use.
3. Alternatives and integrated pest management:
The DDT case emphasized the need to find
alternative pest control methods and promoted
integrated pest management approaches.
4. Overall, the DDT case highlighted the
importance of responsible chemical use, robust
Thank you