What Is DDT, and Why Was It Banned?
DDT, or dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, was developed in the 1940s as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides, the EPA says, and was first used to combat malaria, typhus and other insect-borne human diseases among military and civilian populations.
The EPA issued a cancellation order for DDT in 1972 based on its adverse environmental effects, such as those to wildlife, as well as its potential human health risks. On June 14, 1972, EPA Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus issued the order cancelling nearly all remaining federal registrations of DDT products, and the EPA announced that general use of DDT would no longer be legal in the United States after December 31, 1972.
The EPA says DDT concentrations in the environment and animals have decreased since then, but because of its persistence, residues of concern from historical use still remain. It says a relationship between DDT exposure and reproductive effects in humans is suspected based on animal studies, some exposed animals developed liver tumors, and DDT is classified as a probable human carcinogen by US and international authorities. IARC classified DDT as probably carcinogenic to humans, Group 2A, in 2015.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe EPA says DDT was developed in the 1940s as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides, and was initially used to combat malaria, typhus and other insect-borne diseases. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe EPA says it issued a cancellation order for DDT in 1972 based on its adverse environmental effects, such as those to wildlife, and its potential human health risks. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingIn a press release dated December 31, 1972, the EPA said general use of DDT would no longer be legal after that day, following Administrator Ruckelshaus’s June 14, 1972 order cancelling nearly all remaining registrations. US EPA archive ↗
- Government sourceThe EPA says DDT concentrations in the environment and animals have decreased since US use ended, but because of its persistence, residues of concern from historical use still remain. US EPA ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says people who accidentally swallowed large amounts of DDT had tremors, headaches, nausea and seizures, and that these effects went away after the exposure stopped. ATSDR ToxFAQs ↗
- Government sourceIn June 2015 IARC classified DDT as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), based on sufficient evidence in experimental animals and limited evidence in humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.