The use of DDT in malaria vector control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The use of DDT in malaria vector control - Essay Example DDT is slowly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract; however, if the DDT has been dissolved in fats from vegetables or animals, then the absorption rate is enhanced up to 1.5 times. The oral ingestion of DDT usually results in convulsions after 2 hours, if the rate of administration is twice that of the oral LD50 value. It has also been established that absorption of DDT by the skin is minimal (DDT). Subsequent to absorption, DDT accumulates in the tissues, especially in the adipose tissue. Many studies have reported the storage of DDT in the central nervous system, blood, liver, heart and kidneys. The body excretes DTT in milk and urine (DDT). A small amount of the ingested DDT changes into DDE, whose toxicity is much less. The latter is impervious to biotransformation, and consequently persists in the adipose tissue, indefinitely. The chief detoxification route for DDT is transformation to DDD, which quickly changes into the water soluble DDA, and then excreted (DDT). The rate of elimination of DDT from the body has been assessed at 1% of the amount stored in the body. DDA excretion in the urine is around 47% of the ingested precursor material; however, this loses significance, when the amount of DDT being ingested increases. Moreover, there has been a reasonable correlation between the DDA concentrations in urine and DDT levels in body fat (DDT). The different routes of exposure, associated with DDT are first; oral which transpires when there is ingestion of DDT or food contaminated with DDT. Second; by inhalation; however, this is not of much importance, because absorption is insignificant, due to the non – volatile nature of DDT. Third; absorption through the skin, which is not an important route. DDT absorption by the skin is negligible, and an increase is effected, if it is dissolved in oil. Fourth; absorption through the eye,