DDT poisoning of big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, in Hamilton, Montana. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buchweitz, John P.; Carson, Keri; Rebolloso, Sarah; Lehner, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 201(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: DDT -- Big brown bats -- Poisoning; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an insecticidal organochlorine pesticide with; known potential for neurotoxic effects in wildlife. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) registration for this pesticide has been cancelled and there are currently no federally active products that contain this ingredient in the U.S. We present a case of a colony of big brown bats ( E. Fuscus ) found dead in the attic roost of an administrative building; in the city of Hamilton, Montana from unknown cause. DDT and its metabolites; dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) were detected in bat tissues by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified by gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Concentrations of 4081 ppm DDT and 890 ppm DDE wet weight were found in the brain of one bat and are the highest reported concentrations in such a mortality event to date. This case emphasizes the importance of testing wildlife mortalities against a comprehensive panel of toxicologic agents including persistent organic pollutants in the absence of other more common disease threats. Highlights: Misuse of DDT on a rabies-negative bat colony. First reported DDT-related bat mortality in 40 years. Highest reported concentrations of DDT and metabolites for a bat mortality event.