Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroacetic acid (DDT) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that has been widely used as an insecticide. DDT is virtually insoluble in water, but it is freely soluble in the fat of organisms. DDT is also persistent in the environment. The combination of persistence and lipid solubility means that DDT biomagnifies, occurring in organisms in preference to the non-living environment, especially in predators at the top of ecological food webs. Environmental contamination by DDT and related chemicals is a widespread problem, including the occurrence of residues in wildlife, in drinking water, and in humans. Ecological damages have included the poisoning of wildlife, especially predators.

DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are a diverse group of synthetic compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine, used as pesticides and for other purposes. DDT is a particular chlorinated hydrocarbon with the formula 2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane.

The insecticidal...