Answer:
C. Stability and persistence
Step-by-step explanation:
C. Stability and persistence
DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, is a synthetic insecticide that was widely used in the past for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes. It was banned or restricted in many countries due to its stability and persistence in the environment, which resulted in long-term accumulation in ecosystems and potential negative impacts on wildlife and human health.
DDT has a high resistance to degradation, which means it can persist in the environment for a long time after application. It can accumulate in soil, water, and the fatty tissues of animals through a process called bioaccumulation. As a result, DDT can biomagnify or become more concentrated as it moves up the food chain, potentially leading to harmful effects on higher-level predators, including humans.
The acute mammalian toxicity of DDT (option A) refers to its ability to cause immediate harm to mammals upon exposure, and while DDT is toxic to many species of animals, including mammals, it was the stability and persistence of DDT in the environment that was the primary reason for its ban.
The short residual action of DDT (option B) actually contributed to its popularity initially, as it was effective in controlling pests for extended periods of time with a single application. However, it also meant that DDT could accumulate in the environment over time, leading to its ban due to concerns about its persistence and potential negative impacts.
The inability to accumulate in animals (option D) is not a characteristic of DDT, as it has been shown to bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, which was one of the reasons for its ban.