DDT has ben banned from many developed countries because of its

Options

A. high toxicity to mammals
B. high degree of persistence in the enviornment
C. low toxicity to insects
D. high solubility in water

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding DDT**: DDT stands for Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, which is a synthetic insecticide used primarily to control insect populations that damage crops.

2. **Toxicity to Mammals**: DDT has been found to be highly toxic to mammals. This means that it can cause harmful effects on the health of animals, including humans, when they are exposed to it.

3. **Persistence in the Environment**: One of the main reasons for the ban on DDT in many developed countries is its high degree of persistence. This means that DDT does not break down easily in the environment and can remain for a long time, leading to accumulation in soil and water.

4. **Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification**: DDT accumulates in the tissues of living organisms. As it moves up the food chain (from plants to herbivores to carnivores), the concentration of DDT increases in successive trophic levels. This phenomenon is known as biomagnification, where the concentration of toxins becomes higher in organisms at higher trophic levels.

5. **Environmental Impact**: The persistence and biomagnification of DDT can lead to severe ecological consequences, including the decline of certain wildlife populations, particularly birds, which can suffer from reproductive issues due to DDT exposure.

6. **Regulatory Action**: Due to the harmful effects of DDT on health and the environment, many developed countries have banned its use, opting for safer alternatives that do not pose the same risks.

**Final Conclusion**: DDT has been banned in many developed countries primarily because of its high toxicity to mammals, its persistence in the environment, and its potential to cause biomagnification, which adversely affects ecosystems and wildlife.

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