TDE was converted to TDEE in tobacco smoke. TDE, TDEE, and DDA were 
found in the urine of New Zealand Red rabbits that had been exposed to 
cigarette smoke containing labeled TDE. In the fat, vital organs, and 
other tissues, TDE and TDEE were found (Bowery et al., 1965). 
Recent studies showed that the DDI-resistant mosquito Culex tarsalis 
Coquillett degraded TDE to DDA, bis(p-chlorophenyl) methanol (DBH), and 
p-chlorobenzoic acid (Plapp et al., 1965). 
Some light -has been thrown on the possible mechanism involved in the 
conversion of DDT to DDD. Iron porphyrin complexes are present in all 
aerobic organisms. When dilute solutions of Fe" porphyrins (FeD) were 
exposed to DDT at room temperature, the porphyrin complex was rapidly 
oxidized. The rate of oxidation of Fett by DDT was estimated from the 
slopes of concentration vs. time plots at various initial concentrations 
of reactants. DDT obeyed the rate expression 
rate = ky (rettp]2 ppt] 
and k3 was found to be ca. 3 x 10/1.2/mole*/ min. (Castro, 1964). 
HH 
@ C | 
UV 
Cla O AR 
DDT CI Cl 
UV |AIR C H-C=C-CH- | 
a de: 
SN 
Cl cK pc 
Vi | | 
O 
76 
