DDT, DDE, and DDD

Toxicological Profile

At a glance

NCEH/ATSDR makes peer review information available to demonstrate efforts to utilize transparent and independent peer review, appropriate research methods, and the highest level of data quality. This ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects of 1-DDT, DDE, and DDD.

Details

Title: Toxicological Profile for 1-DDT, DDE, DDD

Subject of planned Report: The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects for the substance being described.

Purpose of Planned Report: The purpose of the toxicological profile is to provide a source of toxicological and epidemiological data. Data is on hazardous substances most commonly found at hazardous waste sites and supports public health assessments at these sites. DDT is a pesticide banned in the United States except in public health emergencies. DDE and DDD are breakdown products of DDT.

Eating food with large amounts (grams) of DDT over a short time would most likely affect the nervous system. People who swallowed large amounts of DDT became excitable and had tremors and seizures. They also experienced sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. These effects on the nervous system went away once exposure stopped. The same type of effects would be expected by breathing DDT particles in the air or by contact of the skin. Tests in laboratory animals confirm the effect of DDT on the nervous system.

Type of Dissemination: ISI

Timing of Review (including deferrals): August 2018

Type of Review (panel, individual or alternative procedure): Individual

Opportunities for the Public Comment (how and when): A draft of this profile will be made available for comment in 2019.

Peer Reviewers Provided with Public Comments before the Review: No

Anticipated Number of Reviewers: Three

Primary Disciplines or Expertise: toxicology, environmental health, chemistry

Reviewers Selected by (agency or designated outside organization): CDC/ ATSDR

Public Nominations Requested for Reviewers: No

Reviewers

Academic and Professional Credentials
PhD
Current Position Title
Statistician
Organizational Affiliation(s)
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences
Expertise / Discipline:
Used secondary data sources from the CDC which included the:
  • National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I, II, III, and 1999-2008),
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
  • Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)
  • National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)
  • National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
  • National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS).
Experience:
  • Statistician, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
  • Affiliate Faculty, Master of Environmental Studies Program, College of Charleston.
Areas of Expertise:
  • Clinical epidemiology of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and health services
  • Wetland creation
  • Health impacts from coal mining
  • Mine weathering
  • Fly ash
  • Water quality interactions
  • Dredge sediment reuse.
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public
No

Academic and Professional Credentials
PhD
Current Position Title
Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences
Organizational Affiliation(s)
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences
Expertise / Discipline:
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology
Experience:
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Mississippi College FTE distribution (2011 – 2013): 90% Teaching, 10% Research
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Research in pesticides
  • Principal investigator for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15) – (Active award) NIH grant # 1R15ES026791-01 Title: “Effects of organochlorine pesticide exposure on hepatic lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes”
  • Principal investigator for CVM Office of Research and Graduate Studies (ORGS) Preliminary Data Grant (competitive) – (Active award)
  • Title: “Effects of obesity and type 2 diabetes on organophosphate pesticide toxicity.”
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public
No

Academic and Professional Credentials
MD
Current Position Title
Honorary Professor, Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute
Organizational Affiliation(s)
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences
Expertise / Discipline:
  • Medicine
  • Physiology
Experience:
  • Director, Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, SUNY, Rensselaer, NY (The Institute was named a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization in 2011)
  • Honorary Professor, Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Senior Fellow, Alden March Bioethics Institute, Albany Medical College/Center, Albany, New York.
  • Research in exposure to persistent organic pollutants and risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Cognitive and behavioral effects of environmental contaminants on children (IQ, ADHD) and older adults (dementias, Parkinson’s Disease and ALS).
  • Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation biology. Effects of air pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public
No

Resources

Additional elements to be added to the public posting as they become available: