

Why Is DDT Banned in India? Effects and Exam Relevance
DDT Full Form stands for Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane. DDT is a well-known chemical compound used mainly as an insecticide in the past. It played a significant role in the control of diseases like malaria and yellow fever by targeting vector insects such as mosquitoes. The compound gained international attention after it was observed to be effective in controlling insect-borne diseases and agricultural pests.
What Does DDT Mean?
The expanded form of DDT is Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane. As the name suggests, its chemical structure is composed of chlorine and phenyl groups arranged along a trichloroethane backbone. The molecular structure gives DDT its properties as a powerful insecticide. Due to its effectiveness, DDT became widely used in public health and agriculture.
Key Principles and Practical Applications
DDT is a synthetic chemical known for its long-lasting effect against insects. It was first synthesized and recognized for its insecticidal properties by the Swiss chemist Paul Muller, who later received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery. DDT impacted the global approach to controlling vector-borne diseases and led to extensive spraying in various sectors.
DDT's practical applications included:
- Agriculture (crop protection)
- Public health (vector disease control such as malaria and yellow fever)
Role in Education, Health, and Community
In educational content, DDT is often cited in biology and chemistry subjects as an example of chemical pesticides and their impact on the environment and health. In community health, DDT's role in controlling malaria vectors is notable. However, concerns about its environmental persistence and side effects led to strict regulations and bans in several countries.
Detailed Explanation of DDT’s Use
DDT works by affecting the nervous systems of insects, causing paralysis and eventually killing them. This characteristic made it highly effective in reducing insect populations in crops and controlling disease vectors. However, its non-selectivity and persistence raised issues of toxicity and biomagnification in food chains, drawing criticism in environmental studies.
Abbreviation | Expanded Form | Field | Known For | Inventor |
---|---|---|---|---|
DDT | Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane | Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Health | Insecticide, Vector Control | Paul Muller |
Example: DDT in Disease Control
A key application of DDT was in the control of malaria. Spraying DDT in living spaces greatly reduced the mosquito population, lowering malaria cases. This was a breakthrough in public health before concerns about its long-term side effects were fully understood.
Key Points About DDT
- DDT stands for Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane.
- Used as an insecticide for agricultural and vector control purposes.
- Recognized for effectively reducing malaria and yellow fever transmission.
- First synthesized for insecticidal qualities by Paul Muller, who won the Nobel Prize.
Application Area | Description | Key Outcome |
---|---|---|
Agriculture | Sprayed on crops to control pests | Reduced crop loss but environmental side effects |
Health/Public Health | Used in vector control to fight diseases | Lowered malaria and yellow fever but created ecological concerns |
Terms Related to DDT
- Chemical Bonding: Learn about chemical bonding and energies in Work and Energy.
- Chemical Properties: Explore Different Types of Energy as they relate to chemistry and chemical compounds.
Practice Questions
- What is the full form of DDT? Describe one application in public health.
- Who discovered the insecticidal properties of DDT?
- Explain one drawback of DDT’s widespread use.
Next Steps and Deeper Learning
To understand related scientific concepts, students can explore energy topics such as Kinetic and Potential Energy Differences or read more about energy transformations in Energy Conversion. For more exam-focused explanations and stepwise breakdowns, review the biology, chemistry, and environmental science resources from Vedantu.
FAQs on DDT Full Form, Meaning, Uses, and Ban Explained
1. What is the full form of DDT?
DDT stands for Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane. It is a synthesized chemical used historically as a pesticide and covered in environmental science and biology syllabi.
2. Why is DDT banned in India?
DDT is banned in India because of its harmful impact on the environment and human health.
- It persists in soil and water, causing long-term pollution.
- DDT biomagnifies in the food chain, affecting animals and humans.
- Official agricultural use was banned in 1989. Limited, regulated use is allowed for vector disease control only.
3. What is the chemical formula and structure of DDT?
The chemical formula for DDT is C14H9Cl5. Its structure includes two benzene rings (diphenyl groups) attached to a trichloroethane chain with two chlorine substitutions.
4. What are the main uses of DDT?
Primary uses of DDT:
- Agriculture: Used to kill crop pests (now banned for this purpose).
- Public health: Control of disease-carrying mosquitoes (malaria, typhus) under strict government supervision.
5. How does DDT affect humans and wildlife?
DDT accumulates in animal and human tissues causing:
- Hormonal imbalances and reproductive problems
- Possible carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects
- Weakening of bird eggshells and reduction in bird populations
6. What is biomagnification and how is DDT involved?
Biomagnification is the process where the concentration of a substance (like DDT) increases at each trophic level of the food chain. DDT is fat-soluble and non-biodegradable, so it accumulates in organisms and magnifies as it moves up the food chain, causing major ecological and health problems.
7. Who discovered DDT's insecticidal properties?
Paul Hermann Müller, a Swiss chemist, discovered the insecticidal properties of DDT and received the 1948 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery.
8. Is DDT still used anywhere today?
DDT is banned for agricultural use in most countries, including India. However, limited and targeted use may still occur in public health emergencies, especially for controlling malaria vectors, under strict regulation and monitoring.
9. What are some alternatives to DDT?
Alternatives to DDT include:
- Biopesticides (Neem-based, Bacillus thuringiensis)
- Malathion and other less persistent, lower toxicity insecticides
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches
10. How do you pronounce DDT?
DDT is pronounced as “Dee-Dee-Tee”, spelling out each letter separately.
11. In which syllabus topics is DDT discussed?
DDT is discussed in topics related to Environmental Science, Biology (Biomagnification, Pollution), Public Health in syllabi like NCERT, NEET, CBSE, and State Boards.
12. What are the main reasons for DDT's environmental persistence?
DDT is non-biodegradable, fat-soluble, and chemically stable, so it remains for many years in the environment and living tissues, making its residues hazardous for ecosystems and humans.











