Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, or DDT, is colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless. It's also one of the most harmful and controversial chemical compounds ever developed.
Synthesized as far back as the late 1800s, DDT was produced as a highly effective insecticide in the 1940s. It was used extensively throughout the Second World War as a deterrent against disease-carrying bugs and was later deployed for use in agriculture to protect crops.
Soon, however, concerns were being raised about DDT's effect on the environment and potential threat to human health. By the 1960s, calls for its discontinuation were being voiced around the world, not least in the United States where its harmful properties had devastated wildlife populations. But is DDT still being used?
In this gallery, we examine the history behind this highly contentious compound and highlight its current status. Click on to continue reading.