Atmospheric oxidation of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) initiated by OH and NO3 radicals: A quantum chemical investigation

•The oxidation of DDT initiated by OH and NO3 radicals was studied with DFT.•The lifetime of DDT determined by the reactions with OH and NO3 radicals is 8.1 h.•The rate constant of DDT relative to OH radical is 1.16 × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1.•The rate constant of DDT relative to NO3 radical is 2.19 × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1.•The degradation of DDT yields phenolic compounds, dialdehyde and epoxides.