Common Names: Anofex, Cesarex, Chlorophenothane, Dedelo, p, p’-DDT, Dinocide, Didimac, Digmar, ENT 1506, 
Genitox, Guesapon, Guesarol, Gexarex, Gyron, Hildit, Ixodex, Kopsol, Neocid, OMS 16, Micro DDT 75, Pentachlorin, Rukseam, R50 and Zerdane.
Physical Properties of DDT
– Created by the reaction of trichloroethanol with chlorobenzene
– Stable, Nonflammable, Combustible molecule
– Able to perform substitution reactions because of its chlorine atoms
| Appearance: | – waxy, solid – pure form consists of colorless crystals |
| Odour: | Odourless |
| CAS Number: | 50-29-3 |
| Molecular Weight: | 354.51 g/mol |
| Water Solubility: | < 1 mg/L @ 20 degrees |
| Melting Point: | 108.5-109 °C |
| Boiling Point: | 260 °C |
| Molecular Formula: | C14H9Cl5 |
| Solubility Information: | – Low solubility in water, high solubility in fats – Soluble in aromatic and chlorinated solvents |
| Area Effected: | Effect: | First Aid: |
| Eye | – eyes turn very red – burning sensation occurs | – immediately flush out eye with large amounts of water, not stopping for 30 minutes – seek medical attention immediately |
| Skin | – causes a prickling or tingling sensation – very irritable to skin | – take off contaminated clothing – immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap |
| Breathing In (Lungs) | – headache, dizziness, confusion, a sense of apprehension and tremors – higher exposure could lead to death | – remove person from exposure – being rescue breathing and transfer to medical facility |
| Long Term Effects: | – may be a carcinogen – may damage the developing fetus – may damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys | |
Application and Uses of Molecule in Society
– First used in World War II, nicknamed the ‘atomic bomb’ of pesticides
– Used to kill insects among both military and civilian populations which were believed to carry malaria, typhus and other insect borne human diseases
– After World War II it was used on farms to control common agricultural pests
– Used again even after the war to control insects which carried malaria and yellow fever
– Even though banned in the United States because of it leading to biomagnification, it is still used in many parts of the world to control the spread of malaria
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