Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane

An organochlorine, DDT's chemical formula is C14H9Cl5. The compound can be variously described. In addition to dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, it is also known as the following: (1) p,p'-DDT; (2) 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane; and (3) 4,4'DDT. There are actually three different forms of DDT. These include p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, and o,o'-DDT. Technical DDT consists of all three mixed together. In addition, it may contain small amounts of DDT breakdown products. These metabolite contaminants include dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene--also known as 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE)--and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane, or 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD). In addition, DDT has been produced under several trade names. Some of these include the following: Genitox, Detoxan, Pentachlorin, and Chlorophenothane (Clement Associates, 1989, pp. 68-71).

At room temperature, DDT occurs as an odorless or weakly aromatic solid. It can take th

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ial of DDT is thought to derive from its effect on sodium ion flow in nerve axon membranes. DDT acts to keep nerves' sodium channels open. As sodium ions are allowed to flow freely into the cells, their membrane returns to its normal resting potential. Ultimately this results in "an elevated sensitivity to a continual neuronal discharge of impulses (Clement Associates, 1989, pp. 38-44)". Neurological symptoms caused by DDT exposure may include tremor and convulsions. While DDT is certainly potent physiologically, it is perhaps the chemical's interaction with the environment that is of greatest significance. The compound does not occur naturally. In the United States, its presence in the environment is entirely the result of contamination due to past production and use. Unfortunately, DDT is characterized by low water solubility and high chemical stability. Hence, it tends to persist (Eriksson, 1991, p. 269). DDT--and its breakdown products, DDD and DDE--may cycle for months, years, and even decades. Indeed, DDT and its metabolites have been detected in practically all media. In the atmosphere and in water, the compound is subject to photodegradation or redeposition. DDT, however, preferentially binds to soil and se
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