DDT
Outlawed bug killer
DDT is a synthetic insecticide that was widely used in agriculture and to control mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
Its environmental persistence and harmful effects on wildlife—particularly thinning bird eggshells—led to bans in many countries starting in the 1970s.
DDT became a symbol of the dangers of unchecked pesticide use after Rachel Carson's *Silent Spring*.
Dispersing liquid as mist
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
- malariaMosquito-borne parasitic infection
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- larvicideAgent destroying immature insects
entomology · fumigation · disease prevention · eradication · public health · infestation · extermination · agrochemicals
Landmark environmental warning text
- banOfficial restriction on something
- ecologyStudy of environmental relations
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
Rachel Carson · birds · pollution · eagles · pelicans · peregrine falcon · osprey · endangered species
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- environmental hazardRisk to ecosystems
neurotoxin · mutagenic · teratogenic · chronic exposure · hazardous · toxic waste · chemical exposure · food chain
spraying
Dispersing liquid as mist
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
- malariaMosquito-borne parasitic infection
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
larvicide · entomology · fumigation · disease prevention · eradication · public health · infestation · extermination · agrochemicals · boll weevil
Silent Spring
Landmark environmental warning text
- banOfficial restriction on something
- ecologyStudy of environmental relations
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
Rachel Carson · wildlife · birds · pollution · eagles · pelicans · peregrine falcon · osprey · endangered species · EPA
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
environmental hazard · neurotoxin · mutagenic · teratogenic · chronic exposure · hazardous · toxic waste · chemical exposure · food chain · fat-soluble
- carcinogensasbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, tobacco smoke
- Pesticidespesticides, permethrin, pyrethrin, organophosphate, pyrethroids
- insecticidespermethrin, pyrethrin, pyrethroids, organophosphate, organophosphates
- Toxic Chemicalschlordane, lindane, PCB, dioxin, furan
- pest controlinsecticide, rat trap, pesticide, mousetrap, exterminator
- pollutionair pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, smog, toxic waste
Animals that inherently hunt others
organic pesticides · pyrethrin · neem oil · biopesticides · ladybugs
Pest suppression via natural enemies
organic farming · natural predators · companion planting · beneficial insects · ladybugs
- DDT banProhibition of chlorinated insecticide