Persistence of DDT and metabolites in wildlife from Washington state orchards

Recent evidence suggests that some species are accumulating increased levels of DDT and metabolites in the U.S. even though the use of DDT has been eliminated. Residues of the DDT group were detected in high or unusual amounts in certain mammals and birds collected in fruit orchards near Wenatchee, Washington, from 1979 to 1983. The possible origin of the residues is examined and there is an indication that the continuing contamination comes from past legal applications of DDT which were applied at very high levels.