What are the uses of DDT?

pesticide use. DDT. (General Fact Sheet). For more technical information, please refer to the Technical Fact Sheet. What is DDT? • DDT 1 is an organochlorine2 insecticide that was first synthesized in 1874 (1,2). read more

Development of DDT. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) was developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides in the 1940s. It was initially used with great effect to combat malaria, typhus, and the other insect-borne human diseases among both military and civilian populations. read more

Criticisms of a DDT "ban" often specifically reference the 1972 United States ban (with the erroneous implication that this constituted a worldwide ban and prohibited use of DDT in vector control). Reference is often made to Silent Spring, even though Carson never pushed for a DDT ban. read more

DDT was first created in 1874, but its properties as an insecticide weren't discovered until 1939. The chemical was used successfully during WWII to control malaria, typhus, body lice and bubonic plague. read more