Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 09/07/2018 11:45:25

Title: How much do we know about DDT?
Post by: katieHaylor on 09/07/2018 11:45:25

Jon asks:

How much do we know about DDT? Is there controversy here? Are the facts clear?

Can you help?

Title: Re: How much do we know about DDT?
Post by: Bored chemist on 09/07/2018 11:58:59

We know a lot about it.
Some facts are perfectly clear- it is a white crystalline solid.
Some facts are less clear- it has saved more lives from malaria than it has cost through toxicity.

What facts did Jon have in mind?
Unless he turns up and lets us know, this thread's not going to get anywhere.

Title: Re: How much do we know about DDT?
Post by: evan_au on 10/07/2018 11:23:42

DDT is believed to cause eggshell thinning in some species of birds.
It is believed that the ban on DDT is partially responsible for halting the declining numbers of that American icon, the bald eagle.
It has impacts on human health too.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT#Eggshell_thinning