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Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

Synonyms: DDT

CAS Number: 50-29-3

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79
80 89
90 100
23

Sources of exposure:

Food

Environmental pollution (soil, sediment, water, wildlife)

Description:

DDT was widely used as a broad-spectrum insecticide in agriculture and to control insect-borne diseases. It is a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) regulated under the Stockholm Convention due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. The environmental and health impacts of DDT were famously documented in Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. DDT is banned in most countries, with limited exemptions remaining for malaria control in a small number of regions.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Endocrine Disruption

May alter hormone function and contribute to chronic diseases and disorders.

Reproductive Toxicity

May alter hormone function and harm reproduction.

Developmental Toxicity

May impact fetal development and birth outcomes.

Genotoxicity

May cause mutations or damage DNA in cells.

Neurotoxicity

May impact brain function or development.

Organ System Toxicity

May cause organ damage and disease.

Ecotoxicity

May be toxic to ecosystems and wildlife.

Banned/restricted lists:

  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Rotterdam Convention Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade - Annex III

References

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Cheminformatics Modules, Computational Toxicology and Exposure Informatics (CompTox).
  2. California Department of Public Health. California Safe Cosmetics Reportable Ingredients List.

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Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.

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