What chemical weakens bald eagles eggs?

The main chemical that has been linked to weakening bald eagles' eggs is DDE, a metabolite of DDT. DDT was a widely used pesticide that was banned in the United States in 1972 due to its harmful effects on wildlife, particularly on birds. DDE is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) that can remain in the environment for many years and accumulate in the food chain. Bald eagles are apex predators and they can accumulate high levels of DDE in their bodies, which can then be passed on to their eggs. DDE can cause eggshell thinning and lead to reduced reproductive success in bald eagles.