What is the Full form of DDT?
The full form of DDT is Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, a chemical used to kill insects. In farming, DDT kills bugs. The US stopped using DDT in 1972, but other countries still use it. DDT was also once used to prevent lice. It’s also used to control mosquitoes that spread malaria outside the US. DDT and similar chemicals can last a long time in the air and in animals’ bodies
The History of DDT
- DDT was first made in 1874 and used to stop malaria and typhus in civilians and soldiers.
- It was mostly used as a spray.
- In the early 1970s, concerns about DDT’s harmful effects on the environment and living things were raised.
- In 1973, the Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT in the United States.
Structure and Function of DDT
- The molecular formula of DDT is C14H9Cl5. It is highly hydrophobic, meaning it does not dissolve in water but dissolves in many organic solvents like fats and oils.
- It forms naturally when chloral (CCl3CHO) reacts with chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl) using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as a catalyst.
- When plants are sprayed with DDT, insects living on them are exposed to it. DDT damages the insects’ nerves, eventually causing their death.
Why Use DDT?
Use dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane only in large amounts when needed to manage pests. Farmers on large irrigation and agricultural lands use DDT for faster pest control, as it’s difficult to monitor and eliminate all pests manually.
DDT stands for DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane, and after understanding its full form, there are many other things to learn about DDT.
[Also Read:SMPS: Full Form, Types, Benefits, Advantages, Disadvantages]
Why Avoid Using DDT?
The harmful effects of DDT are greater than its benefits; this is well-known. Here are some reasons why we should stop using it:
- The chemicals have harmful environmental effects. When DDT kills pests, they die in agricultural soil where crops grow, allowing DDT to enter plants.
- DDT (DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane) is sprayed on plants to repel insects and pests. It remains in the plants we eat, allowing DDT to enter our bodies.
- When animals ingest DDT like humans do, it harms them and affects humans too. Animals suffer from thin eggshells and embryo death as a result. Understanding DDT’s Full Form and its meaning helps grasp its toxicity and the extent of its harm.
Harmful Effects of DDT
- Impacts on Human Beings
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- DDT is a very poisonous and harmful chemical to many types of animals, such as mammals, birds, fish, and others.
- In some bird species, thin eggshells and low reproduction rates lead to egg breakage and embryo death.
Impacts on Wildlife
DDT, which stands for Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, is a highly dangerous and toxic chemical to many types of wildlife, including birds, mammals, fish, and more. It causes eggshell thinning and lower reproduction rates in certain bird species, leading to egg breakage and embryo death.
Conclusion
DDT, or Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, once heralded for its effectiveness in pest control, now stands as a cautionary tale in environmental history. Despite its initial role in curbing diseases like malaria, widespread use led to lasting ecological harm. Banned in the US in 1973 due to its persistence and toxic effects on wildlife and humans, DDT’s legacy underscores the importance of sustainable and less harmful alternatives in agricultural practices globally.
