Answer:
Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT
)
Explanation:
Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, better known as DDT, is a pesticide whose properties were discovered in 1939 by Paul Müller. With high lethality, DDT easily crosses the exoskeleton of insects affecting the central nervous system. It was used to prevent lice-borne typhus disease in soldiers in World War II and after the war to combat the vectors of malaria and yellow fever. Due to its low cost of production and high efficiency, it was overused in agriculture.
DDT's mass production peaked in 1963 when 81,154 tons were produced. According to WHO, it has saved 5 million people worldwide from insect-borne diseases, ending global epidemics. Until environmental and health issues were exposed in studies published in the book Silent Spring by biologist Rachel Carson; The work describes DDT as the 'Elixir of Death' pointing to collateral damage to the environment and health.
If DDT is inhaled or ingested by contaminated food, humans may have sensory disturbances, balance difficulties, behavioral changes and breathing difficulties, muscle disorders and paralysis leading to death. Since DDT is fat soluble, it is easily absorbed by the digestive and respiratory system and is accumulated in adipose tissue reaching the central nervous system, where it acts in the sodium / potassium ratio. Because its components are stored in the body and have slow metabolism, the intoxicated mother can pass such toxic elements to the baby through breast milk. At high intoxication, symptoms are evident in just 2 hours. In 2005 WHO estimated 70,000 deaths from pesticides.
