An Introduction
The organochlorine compound DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was first produced in 1874. It was proven to be a highly effective insecticide in 1935, which led to its widespread use in agriculture as a general pesticide. In this article, we will look at the meaning of DDT, its operation, why it should not be used, etc. Let us start by understanding DDT in the coming section.
What is the Full Form of DDT?
The full form of the DDT acronym is DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane, and it is an odorless and colorless organochlorine substance. It is used as an insecticide in agriculture. This makes it highly poisonous for all living beings. It aims at the bodily tissues and stays there for very long.
The primary usage of this DDT is to kill pests and insects in agricultural areas. It is done to protect the crops from being spoiled by these pests.
Let’s Get Back in Time
The abbreviation DDT stands for DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane, which dates back to the year 1874 when it was used towards the termination of World War II. Then its primary usage was to control typhus and malaria to protect the commoners and the military troops. The detrimental effects of DDT led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to put a ban on its use in the United States. DDT was used commonly as a spray in the U.S in 1959.
Structure and Operation of DDT
DDT's molecular formula is (C14H9Cl). It is very hydrophobic, insoluble in water, and soluble in most organic solvents such as fats and oils.
Chloral (CCl3CHO) reacts with chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl) in the presence of a sulphuric acid catalyst to form it naturally (H2SO4).
The insects that live on the crops are exposed to DDT if the plants are sprinkled with it. It causes damage to the bug's nerves, which eventually leads to death.
Why Must DDT be Used?
The only reason why DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane should be allowed to be used at large is to bring the pests under control. Since it is not possible for farmers on huge irrigational and agricultural lands to keep an eye on and kill all the pests, therefore they have to take resort to the use of DDT for a faster result.
Why Must DDT not be Used?
It is no longer a concealed secret that the ill effects of DDT are more than the good ones. Here are some of the cause why we must stop using it:
The chemical compounds cause harm to the environment.
DDT kills the pests and they die on the same soil where agriculture is done. This is how DDT enters the crops and plants.
DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane (DDT meaning) is sprayed on the plants to prevent insects or pests from eating the crops. This remains on the edible plants that we humans consume, making a way for DDT to enter our bodies.
Besides harming us, it also affects the animals by entering their bodies the same way it enters the human bodies.
In animals, it results in thinning of eggshells and the killing of the embryo.
The DDT's full form and meaning will tell you that it is extremely toxic and therefore does more harm than good.
What Information should the User of DDT have before he Employs the Material?
DDT has been used for experimental purposes for a short period of time. It should be recognized that there is considerable reliable information available about DDT and its effects on insects (harmful and beneficial) on animals. In addition to insects, the effects on humans, plants, and soil require more research before we get answers to many of the questions that now worry us. If someone wants to use DDT, that person should first determine the pests he wants to control. Then he should understand whether DQT can be used effectively to control pests. If other insecticides can do the job more effectively, safely, and cheaper, then other insecticides should be used. If you want to use DDT, you must know in what form to use it and with what intensity to use it. The most important thing is to remember that DDT is toxic to humans and otters, and individuals should control their actions accordingly.
Under no circumstances should DDT be allowed to go into the food that is meant for human or domestic animal consumption. No significant doses of DDT should be taken into the lungs by the DDT operator. DDT is safest for animals and plants when used as dust diluted with pyrophyllite or talc, or as a water spray in which the DDT is suspended attached to minute particles with or without a suitable wetting or sticking agent. When DDT is dissolved in oil like kerosene or gasoline, it should never be applied to plants or animals' bodies.
Conclusion
You will benefit from the given facts about the DDT's full form and meaning. By now you also know the ill effects of using it as an insecticide. It causes a lot of harm to our environment which indirectly affects us as well. This will also let you form your own opinions about whether it should be used regularly or not.
FAQs on DDT Full Form
1. What types of health hazards can DDT cause in humans?
The use of DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane (DDT full form) can have severe effects on our health. Some of the diseases caused by it are diabetes, giving growth to cancer cells that grow into liver cancer, breast cancer, malignant tumours, havoc respiratory problems, and many more.
2. Is DDT soluble in water?
No. DDT is not soluble in water. The danger lies in the fact that it gets easily dissolved in organic solvent, oils and fats that unknowingly enter our bodies. This leads to ill health and later becomes a source of some disease unknowingly.
3. Should we refrain from the use of DDT?
Given the hazards that it causes, indicate that we should definitely refrain from using it to kill insects and pests. Above all, we need to keep in mind that it will indirectly affect all humans and animals too.
4. What are the properties of DDT?
The properties of DDT are:
DDT has a structure that is similar to that of the insecticide methoxychlor and the acaricide dicofol.
It is very hydrophobic and practically insoluble in water, yet it dissolves well in most organic solvents, fats, and oils.
DDT is made by combining two equivalents of chloral (CCl3CHO) with two equivalents of chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl) in the presence of an acidic catalyst in a series of Friedel–Crafts reactions.
Anofex, Cezarex, Chlorophenothane, Dicophane, Dinocide, Gesarol, Guesapon, Guesarol, Gyron, Ixodex, Neocid, Neocidol, and Zerdane are some of the trade names for DDT; INN stands for clofenotane.
5. What happens to DDT in the environment?
DDT has strong persistence in the environment. The soil half-life of DDT is 2 to 15 years.
6. How toxic is DDT?
DDT is toxic to living organisms:
Humans:
People exposed to DDT may report oral tingling, nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, fatigue, and tremors when working with the chemical or accidental exposure.
Animals:
If consumed, DDT has mild to moderate acute toxicity to mammals (including humans).
DDT is not easily absorbed by mammalian skin, but It is easily absorbed through insect shells called exoskeletons.
Animals given potentially lethal doses of DDT can develop liver disease and long-term use of DDT develops liver changes.
7. Does DDT cause reproductive or birth effects?
Dogs fed low-dose DDT have no effect on reproduction. The embryos of mice fed low levels of DDT fail to attach to the uterus and have irregular reproductive cycles. The offspring of mice fed DDT have a higher mortality rate. Scientists have no data to show that DDT can cause human reproduction problems or birth defects.
8. How is DDT used for malaria vector control?
For malaria vector control, WHO recommends indoor residual spraying of DDT. Indoor residual spraying can be defined as the use of liquid pesticides with long-lasting residual characteristics that form crystalline deposits on the spray surface after drying. Insects in contact with the surface will absorb lethal doses of pesticides. Insecticides are applied to the indoor resting place of the carrier. DDT's indoor stagnant spraying also showed an exciting repellent (stirring and repelling) effect on mosquitoes. Therefore, spraying DDT on the wall has the added benefit of reducing the number of mosquitoes entering the indoor space. The recommended dosage of DDT for indoor residual spraying is 1-2 grams (g) of active ingredient per square meter (m²) of the sprayed surface. Depending on the local climate and spraying surface conditions, the effective period of pesticides is usually 6 months or more. Two applications are generally sufficient, where malaria is transmitted throughout the year.