DDT (Ref: OMS 16)

DDT (Ref: OMS 16)	Last updated: 23/10/2025
(Also known as: clofenotane; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; dicofane; chlorophenothane; NCI C00464)

SUMMARY

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

Hazard alerts

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. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.

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: Carcinogen; Endocrine disruptor; Reproduction/development effects; Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

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

Not applicable

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Expired

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Expired

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Yes

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

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

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

No data

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?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
DDT	Unstated isomer

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide; Acaricide

Substance groups

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

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

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

CAS RN

50-29-3

EC number

200-024-3

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

029201

PubChem CID

3036

Molecular mass

354.49

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

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

IUPAC name

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

CAS name

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

Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	✓ (Annex III)Yes (Annex III) Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
✓Yes Stockholm Convention	✓ (Section B)Yes (Section B) OSPAR	✓Yes EU Water Framework Directive

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

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Yes [; ]

Type II

Yes [; ; ; ; ; ; ; ]

Other status information

LRTAP Annex I; PAN Dirty Dozen; Severe marine pollutant

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

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

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

P,P'-DDT

O,P'-DDT

O,O'-DDT

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

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

Introduction & key dates

1944, introduced; 1970, start of global withdrawal; 1972, withdrawn USA

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

Commercial production

The production of DDT involves a chemical synthesis process that begins with the reaction of chloral and chlorobenzene in the presence of sulphuric acid as a catalyst. This electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction forms a mixture of isomers, with the primary product being the p,p'-DDT isomer, which constitutes about 77% of the final mixture. The process also yields other isomeric forms such as o,p'-DDTas impurities. The reaction is exothermic and requires careful temperature control. After synthesis, the crude product undergoes purification, crystalliation, and drying before packaging.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for the amount of life cycle GHGs produced by DDT are not available in the public domain. However, whilst estimates vary, more general data suggests that between 14 and 19 kilograms of CO₂e is emitted per kilogram of insecticide produced.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

0.006

Low

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

1000000

Cyclohexanone

850000

Dichloromethane

770000

Benzene

600000

Xylene

Melting point (°C)

109

Boiling point (°C)

185

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

8.13 X 10⁰⁶

Calculated

Log P

6.91

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Soluble

Data type

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.99

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.025

Low volatility

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

8.43 X 10^-01

Moderately volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

6200

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

2000

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

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

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

6.0

Note

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

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

20.2

Note

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

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

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

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

151000

Notes and range

Log K_oc given as 5.18

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

-3.89

Calculated

Low leachability

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

Value

5.35 X 10^-03

Calculated

Note

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

High

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Non-mobile

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

3173

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

Threshold for concern

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

DDE (Ref: HSDB 1625)

DDD (Ref: ENT 4225)

Known groundwater metabolites

Metabolite

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

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

113

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

Rat 160 day

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2240

Anas platyrhynchos

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

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

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

> 1000

Eisenia foetida 56 day

Low

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

280

Eisenia foetida EC10

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

176.0

Folsomia candida EC10

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

0.54

Apis mellifera

High

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)

Chronic

Notes

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)

0.556

Megachile rotundata

High

Mode of exposure

Contact

Other bee species (2)

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

0.0074

Nomia melanderi

High

Mode of exposure

Contact

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings) as Mortality, Contact LC₅₀ ppm

> 268.9

Chrysoperla carnea Larva

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Moderately harmful

Typhlodromus pyri

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 2.5

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

0.13

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

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

> 0.005

Daphnia magna

High

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

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

> 0.007

Ceriodaphnia dubia

High

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

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

> 0.0027

Chironomus riparius 1 day

High

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves – Acute EC₅₀, reproduction (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.0046

Crassostrea gigas

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

113

Rat

Moderate

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

> 2510

Rat

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

Public

Occupational

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

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

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)

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and via skin absorption
Strong links with breast and womb cancer; CLP data - suspected carcingen; US NTP - known carcinogen; US EPA - probable human carcinogen
Endocrine issues - Competitive binding to androgen receptors

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

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

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

UN Number

UN2761

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

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French

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German

DDT

Danish

DDT

Italian

DDT

Spanish

DDT

Greek

DDT

Polish

DDT

Swedish

DDT

Hungarian

DDT

Dutch

DDT

Norwegian

Record last updated:	23/10/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242