DDT

Zachary Rolling Hills Elementary

2006

Dichloro-diphenyl-thrichlorethane [DDT], was, is, and always will be a dangerous insecticide that has killed hundreds of animals higher in the food chain - like most raptors, especially peregrines. It starts with insects and ends with raptors.

DDT over time, accumulates in the bird. When an insect eats crops that have been sprayed with DDT the insecticide gets into the food chain. Farmers only knew that DDT was effective in ridding their fields from insects, but they didn't know that they were killing beautiful birds like the peregrine falcon.

Once it was realized, the use of DDT was banned in the United States. Now, peregrine falcons have had a chance to recover.

Bibliography

DDT Banned Pesticide; Karl Harrison; 1996;

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/it_lectures/chemestry/mom/ddt/ddt.html

Arnold Caroline; Saving the Peregrine Falcon; Minneapolis; Carolrohoda Books;

1985; page 10

“Environmental Education For kids Peregrine Falcon-Faster Than a Speeding

Bullet”; 3/15/03

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; “Peregrine Falcon”; September 1999