Chemical name: 1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis[4-chloro-benzene]

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of an agricultural remedy or stock remedy which contains dichlor-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) has been prohibited.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

Public health use for malaria vector control.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of an agricultural remedy or stock remedy which contains dichlor-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) was prohibited as from the 25^th February 1983.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The Decision Guidance Document on DDT notes the following in the section on summary of control actions:

Dust packing plants: levels of 2-104 mg/m³ have been reported (TLV = 10 mg/m³), maximum uptake of 18 mg/man/day has been estimated for formulators (0.3 mg/kg/day for a 60 kg person compared with ADI of 0.25 mg/kg/day and proposed TDI of 0.02 mg/kg/day; users can be exposed maximally to 8 mg /m³. Workers have the potential to be exposed at or above the limiting values established on the basis of the toxicological data.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The reduction of adverse effects on the population of South Africa resulting from the use of DDT as an agricultural or stock remedy.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The Decision Guidance Document on DDT prepared by the UNEP/FAO for the Secretariat for the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade notes that the characteristics of DDT to persist, especially in temperate climates, and to biomagnify in the food chain led to significant reproductive effects in birds, such as the brown pelican, osprey and eagles, because of egg shell thinning.

These features combined with exposure and accumulation of residues in humans, and the potential oncogenicity of DDT also contributed to health concerns. In addition, there were concerns about general environmental contamination of a long lived nature and uncertainty about the eventual adverse impacts on man and the environment because of continuing, long-term exposure through water, food and other sources. Finally, DDT is toxic to a number of organisms including fish.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reduction of DDT prevalence in the environment.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 25/02/1983