DDT (Ref: OMS 16)-Pesticide database

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DDT (Ref: OMS 16)

(Also known as: clofenotane; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; dicofane; chlorophenothane; NCI C00464)

DDT is a banned organochlorine insecticide. It has a low aqueous solubility, is relatively volatile and has a low potential to leach to groundwater. It is highly persistent in soil and non-mobile. It is moderately toxic by the oral route in humans and other mammals but is a carcinogen and endocrine disrupter. It shows a high to moderate level of toxicity to most animals and insects although it is relatively non-toxic to birds

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate High alert: Very persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: High	Ecotoxicity High alert: Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Endocrine distrupter; Reproduction/development effects; Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

An obsolete and banned insecticide that was used to control insect vectors of disease, especially malaria

Example pests controlled

Mosquitoes; Houseflies; Body lice; Colarado beetles; Gypsy moths

Example applications

Agricultural crops; Domestic houses; Offices, commercial and industrial situations; Non-cropped sites including roads, rights-of-way; parkland

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries; Banned in many countries

Introduction & key dates

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Date COPR inclusion expires

UK LERAP status

No UK approval for use

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Chemical structure

Isomer mix containing roughly 75-85% p,p'-DDT, 10-15% o,p'-DDT and a small amount of o,o'-DDT. Any balance is comprised of transformation products dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD).

Chemical formula

C₁₄H₉Cl₅

Canonical SMILES

C1=CC(=CC=C1C(C2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)C(Cl)(Cl)Cl)Cl (for p,p'-DDT)

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

YVGGHNCTFXOJCH-UHFFFAOYSA-N (for p,p'-DDT)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C14H9Cl5/c15-11-5-1-9(2-6-11)13(14(17,18)19)10-3-7-12(16)8-4-10/h1-8,13H (for p,p'-DDT)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
o,p'-DDT	Isomer
DDT	Unstated isomer

Insecticide, Acaricide

Substance groups

Organochloride insecticide; Organochloride acaricide; Bridged diphenyl insecticide; Bridged diphenyl acaricide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Non-systemic stomach and contact action. Sodium channel modulator.

US EPA chemical code

CLP index number

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(4-chlorobenzene)

1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane

1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis(4-chlorobenzene)

Other status information

WFD priority substance; Subject to PIC regulations; POP - regulated by Stockholm Convention; LRTAP Annex I; PAN Dirty Dozen; OSPAR soc; Marine Pollutant; Rotterdam Convention (Class II)

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

EU Directive 2008/105/EC EQS for total DDT surface waters: annual average 0.025 µg l⁻¹
UK statutory standard for protection of aquatic life for inland, coastal & territorial surface waters: 0.025 µg l⁻¹ as annual mean conc

Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)

Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)

Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)

Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)

Examples of recorded resistance

Wide variety of insects are resistant, Aedes aegypti, Aedes vittatus, Amblyseius fallacis, Apis mellifera, many varieties of mosquito

White crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

King Tech
Hindustan Insecticides Ltd.

Example products using this active

Hildit
Heliotox
Didigam
Dinocide
Digmar
Genitox
Pentachlorin
Rukseam

Formulation and application details

DDT was available in many different formats including aerosols, dustable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, granules and wettable powders

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Source; quality score; and other information

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Dichloromethane

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Melting point (°C)

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Boiling point (°C)

L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

8.13 X 10⁰⁶

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Fat solubility of residues

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Moderately volatile

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Source; quality score; and other information

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Best available data, PIC DGD; DT₅₀; Other sources: DT₅₀ 3 months in tropical regions, 4-30 years temperate regions.

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data

Published literature RL₅₀ range 1.6-10.8 days, 4 field crops, various matrices, n=5

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data

Published literature RL₅₀ range 3.4-44.0 days, 8 field crops, various matrices, n=13

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Source; quality score; and other information

G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Notes and range

Log K_oc given as 5.18

Notes and range

Source; quality score; and other information

GUS leaching potential index

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g⁻¹ are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW

Potential for particle bound transport index

Potential for loss via drain flow

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

(Other literature Log BCF values range 1.9-5.5 (R3))

Threshold for concern

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil metabolites

Major/Minor fraction

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

DDE (Ref: HSDB 1625)

DDD (Ref: ENT 4225)

Known groundwater metabolites

EC SANCO/221/2000 relevancy

ADI (mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight day⁻¹)

WHO drinking water guidance value (μg L⁻¹ day⁻¹)

DDE (Ref: HSDB 1625)

Relevancy unknown

DDD (Ref: ENT 4225)

Relevancy unknown

Other known metabolites

None

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Source; quality score; and other information

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

A4 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
4 = Verified data

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data

Anas platyrhynchos

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Eisenia foetida 56 day

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Eisenia foetida as EC10

Soil micro-organisms

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source

Folsomia candida as EC10

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Apis mellifera

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data

Megachile rotundata

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data

Nomia melanderi

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Moderately harmful

Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source

Typhlodromus pyri

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Source; quality score; and other information

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

J4 J = Pesticide Action Network database (click here )
4 = Verified data

Daphnia magna

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Chironomus riparius 1 day

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

Source; quality score; and other information

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

A4 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
4 = Verified data

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

List I; List II

Exposure Routes

EU MRL pesticide database

GB MRL Register

Drinking Water Standards

Non-statutory WHO drinking water guideline 0.001 mg l⁻¹

B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes

UK EA QS database 2018

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly excreted in the urine but some also occurs by way of faeces (via biliary excretion)

R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data

Specific human health issues

Endocrine disruptor

?Possibly, status not identified

A3 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
3 = Negative

B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data

C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

E2 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
2 = Mixed/ambiguous results

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

XNo, known not to cause a problem

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin sensitiser

?Possibly, status not identified

XNo, known not to cause a problem

XNo, known not to cause a problem

General human health issues

Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and via skin absorption
Strong links with breast and womb cancer
Endocrine issues - Competitive binding to androgen receptors

Handling issues

Value and interpretation

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H351, H372
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

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