what is ddt used for

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is an insecticide that was initially used by the military in World War II for public health purposes. It was used to control malaria, typhus, body lice, and bubonic plague. DDT was also used in crop and livestock production, institutions, homes, and gardens. It was effective in controlling insect-borne human diseases among both military and civilian populations. DDT is a versatile insecticide because it is effective, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and persists in the environment. However, DDT and its related chemicals persist for a long time in the environment and in animal tissues. The United States banned the use of DDT in 1972 due to concerns over its health and environmental effects. Some countries outside the United States still use DDT to control mosquitoes that spread malaria.