DDT persists in Michigan city’s birds decades after plant closure

By on December 1, 2014


DDT is still being found in St. Louis, Michigan, even though 36 years have passed since the chemical plant producing it closed, according to a recent report from Science News. Toxicologists reported finding dangerous levels of DDT in the deceased birds and their eggs. Of the 29 birds observed, almost 35 percent had organ damage.

Researchers also found a combination of DDT and byproducts from its breakdown in the eggs ranging from 4,000-650,000 nanograms per weight in grams. Additionally, living birds suffer from sores and seizures, which lead to high mortality rates. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is involved in efforts to clean up St. Louis.

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