DDT has had major environmental impacts because it persists in soils and water for long periods and accumulates in living organisms. As the chemical moves through food chains, its concentration increases in predators through biomagnification. Birds were especially affected, with DDT causing eggshell thinning in species such as eagles, falcons, and pelicans, contributing to severe population declines. The pesticide has also harmed fish and other wildlife and contributed to the development of insect resistance. Concerns over these ecological effects led many countries to ban or restrict DDT beginning in the 1970s.
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