DDT & PCBs in the trophic levels
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What is DDT
DDT was one of the first chemicals in widespread use as a pesticide. Following World War II, it was promoted as a wonder-chemical, the simple solution to pest problems large and small. Today, nearly 40 years after DDT was banned in the U.S., we continue to live with its long-lasting effects:
- Food supplies: USDA found DDT breakdown products in 60% of heavy cream samples, 42% of kale greens, 28% of carrots and lower percentages of many other foods.
- Body burden: DDT breakdown products were found in the blood of 99% of the people tested by CDC.
- Health impacts: Girls exposed to DDT before puberty are 5 times more likely to develop breast cancer in middle age, according to the President’s Cancer Panel.
Text reading pg 51 - 53
Pesticide use and the impacts on bees
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RACHEL CARSON: SILENT SPRING
Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification, Persistant Compounds, DDT, PCB, Contaminant