Winter’s Haven

Contrary to what I stated in the previous post, it is completely incorrect that DDT bans have prevented its use for vector control in third-world countries. Bug Girl, an entomologist, thoroughly debunks that claim. The agricultural use of DDT has been banned in many places (partly because more widespread use of insecticides causes insects develop resistances more quickly, making the chemicals less effective in the vector control situations where they are most needed).

The belief that Rachel Carson caused DDT to be banned from use in vector control and that she is thereby responsible for millions of deaths appears to be nothing more than an urban legend — albeit an urban legend which has acquired an unusually large amount of mainstream respectability.

Bug Girl also has a second post on the subject with more in-depth discussion of insecticide resistance and the difficulties of combating malaria.

This entry was posted 2007-Jun-18 and is filed under Natural Sciences, Politics, Technology. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.