Safety data for DDT
The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.
DDT and its degradation products, particularly DDE, are
stored in fat in the body, and this can lead to a total
body load of chemical which is potentially much greater
than the fatal dose. This stored material is removed
only gradually from the body.
Toxicity data
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
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This information was last updated on March 29, 2005.
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for it. General
Synonyms: 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane,
alpha,alpha-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-beta,beta,beta-trichloroethane,
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, chlorophenothane,
p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,
4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,
1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane,
1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane,
diphenyltrichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane,
numerous trade and other non-systematic names, including those
given below. (Note: The use of DDT has been largely discontinued,
so most - perhaps all - of these trade names are no longer used.)
anofex, p,p'-DDT, dicophane, didigam, didimac, ENT 1,506,
estonate, genitox, gesafid, gesarol, gyron, ixodex, NCI-C00464,
neocid, pentachlorin, santobane, trichlorobis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane,
1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, zeidane, zerdane, agritan, arkotine, azotox,
1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis(4-chlorobenzene), bosan, supra, boviderm, chlorphenothan,
chlorophenotoxum, citox, clofenotane, dedlo, deoval,
detox, detoxan, dibovan, dodat, dykol, gesafid, gesapon, gesarex, guesapon, havero-extra, hildit,
ivoran, kopsol, micro, DDT 75, mutoxin, NA 2761, OMS 16, parachlorocium, peb1, pentech, ppzeidan
Use: insecticide, formerly one of the most widely used
insecticides in the world; now used in only limited areas
because of environmental concerns
Molecular formula: C14H9Cl5
CAS No: 50-29-3
EINECS No:
Physical data
Appearance: colourless to white crystalline powder
Melting point: 108 - 109 C
Boiling point: 260 C
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure:
Density (g cm-3): 1.56
Flash point: 165 C
Explosion limits:
Autoignition temperature:
Water solubility: very slight
Stability
Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing
agents, iron and aluminium and their salts, alkalies.
Toxicology
Poison if swallowed. May be harmful if inhaled or
absorbed through the skin. Absorption is considerably
enhanced by the presence of oils. Possible human carcinogen.
Human mutagenic effects. May cause reproductive damage. May
act as a systemic poison. Unlikely to be fatal on its own,
but the toxic effects of this chemical appear to be enhanced when
exposure simultaneously includes other chemicals.
(The meaning of any toxicological abbreviations which
appear in this section is given
here.)
ORL-RAT LD50 87 mg kg-1
SKN-RAT LD50 1931 mg kg-1
ORL-HMN LDLO 500 mg kg-1 (though far lower figures are also quoted)
SCU-RAT LD50 1500 mg kg-1
ORL-MUS LD50 135 mg kg-1
ORL-RBT LD50 250 mg kg-1
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is
given
here.)
Transport information
(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section
is given
here.)
UN No 2761. Hazard class 6.1. Packing group III.
Environmental information
A serious environmental hazard due to bioaccumulation
and transport up the food chain. Concentrations in animals near
the top of the food chain (such as predatory birds) may become
high enough in areas in which DDT has been heavily used, to
have devastating effects upon reproductive ability. Degrades
extremely slowly in the environment and is removed very slowly from
animal tissue.
Personal protection
Safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation. Treat
as a possible carcinogen. Note that use of DDT as an
insecticide is banned in most countries.
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section
is given here.)