Toxic substances list: DDT

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was first registered as a pesticide under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) in the 1940s, and although it was never manufactured in Canada, it was widely used in pest control products until the 1960s. In response to increasing environmental and safety concerns, most uses of DDT in Canada were phased out by the mid-1970s. Registration of all uses of DDT was discontinued in 1985, with the understanding that existing stocks would be sold, used or disposed of by December 31, 1990. The sale or use of DDT in Canada today constitutes a violation of the PCPA.

CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) registry number: 789-02-6 and 50-29-3.

Risk assessment

• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances.
• Notice concerning the confirmation of "Track 1 substance" status for DDT as determined by assessment of these substances against the Track 1 criteria of the Toxic Substances Management Policy
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• Virtual elimination of the substance (Track 1) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012

International engagement

For information on Canada's international engagement on these substances, please visit:

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Protocol to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP))

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Proposed Regulations Respecting the Total, Partial and Conditional Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances (archived consultation document)

Other information

• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 (Repealed)
• Export of Substances Under the Rotterdam Convention Regulations