DDT's devastating effect on the aquatic environment has been thoroughly studied. Field studies showed that field exposures to DDE, a metabolite of DDT, were sufficient to cause effects in many species of birds based on the stressor-response relationship. DDT can cause damage to the organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. DDT interacts with the sodium channel in the insect nerve and retards its closure. Effects of contact with DDT or inhalation may be delayed.

The modern day explosion of nesting pairs makes us realize the disastrous effects of synthetic pesticides. If there is a single pesticide almost everyone can name, it's DDT. DDT has had a huge environmental impact in the world.

Following World War II, it was promoted as a wonder-chemical, the simple solution to pest problems large and small. It was used extensively by allied forces during the Second World War for the protection of military personnel from malaria and was released commercially in 1945. Introduction. Today, nearly 40 years after DDT was banned in the U.S., we continue to live with its long-lasting effects: It is highly toxic to different marine life, such as crayfish, daphnids and sea shrimp. Effects of DDT on the environment and human health DDT is recommended for malaria vector control because of its characteristic of the longest residual efficacy (WHO, 2011). When farmers spray DDT on their farms, the rodents and other small mammals in the farms vicinity die. Indirect Effect Secondary Poisoning of Predatory Birds . Due to it's low solubility, it has a greater rate of bioaccumulation in water, and thus poses a great long-term threat to aquatic wildlife.

Bioaccumulation of DDT in birds high on food chains occurs not only because there is usually reduced biomass at each step in those chains, but also because predatory birds tend to live a long time. In this book the author described the effects of DDT upon wildlife.

1. How People Are Exposed to DDT People are most likely to be exposed to DDT from foods, including meat, fish, and dairy products.

It's highly toxic to both aquatic invertebrate species, like stoneflies and crayfish, as well as fish. It is very toxic to aquatic life, with-long lasting effects.

Figure 2. She determined that DDT significantly reduced the population of birds of prey, such as eagles. The birds' brains contained concentrations of DDE, a breakdown product of DDT, from 155 to 1,043 parts per million, with an average of 552. Together these findings provided lines of evidence by which DDT might cause eggshell thinning and reduce reproductive success, a more specific impairment than declines in bird population. The function of the nerves thus becomes uncontrolled. LD 50 of DDT in birds is<500 mg kg-1 (Edson et al., 1966).

Bioaccumulation of DDT.

It is this metabolite known as DDE, which is thought to be responsible for the eggshell thinning phenomenon observed birds. However, similar situations also exist with other insecticides. This … Studies had revealed that eagles and other birds exposed to DDT had serious reproduction problems. Pesticides and Birds: From DDT to Today's Poisons . DDT, through DDE, had become a “chemical of extinction.” The major physiological effect on individuals, ultimately manifested by poor reproduction and rapid population decline, occurred through eggshell thinning, caused by numerous physiological mechanisms, many of which have been demonstrated in the laboratory as well as in the field. It is important to understand how people have tracked and identified their progress.

DDT is highly toxic, and it may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.

After extensive exposure to soil, DDT will break down into two products, DDE and DDD, with quite similar properties and the same highly persistent characteristics as found in the original DDT. DDT was one of the first chemicals in widespread use as a pesticide. DDT and its related chemicals persist for a long time in the environment and in animal tissues. DDT take in only a little per day, but when they keep most of what they get and they live many days (Deinlein, n.d.).