DDT to be used again to fight malaria in Africa?

Question

This is a major blow to the Green Terrorists who would rather see millions die than allow use of a harmless insecticide to kill mosquitos. A great day for rational thinking and human health.

Answer 1

DDT was not ever illegal to use to fight malaria in many areas of Africa. Countries all over the world agreed to make DDT illegal in 2001, but in Africa about 30 countries refused to sign the treaty and 19 countries continued to use it regularly. Organizations that fight malaria in Africa refused to fund the use of DDT because it caused environmental harm and lost effectiveness over time. The mosquitos that carry malaria quickly develop a resistance to it and become stronger, if there is not a long break in between each use. Scientists have found local plants which can be used as insect repellents, especially when a tincture from it is applied directly to window coverings and on bed curtains. Also, many have worked to fight mosquitos by eliminating areas of standing water around homes where they can reproduce. These methods work consisently, whereas DDT can not be used continously without mosquitos becoming resistant.
DDT does not cause immediate harm to humans, but it does cause harm, because it enters into the food chain. The insects are eaten by birds, which then have DDT accumulated in their fat. DDT is harmful to the bird's ability to form eggs. Meaning less birds which are a source of food. Here in the US, DDT reduced our numbers of bald eagles so that there were less than 20 in my whole state. Now they are back, and we see them flying all the time. Bald Eagles are not a source of food, but DDT can have that effect on all birds. Fortunately, DDT does not have to be sprayed on crops as it was in the US to fight malaria in Africa.

Answer 2

DDT is a huge problem as it is not soluble in water and so cannot be excreted as waste. It accumalates in the fat of the organisms that feed on their prey that carry this. For example, a few insects may have a little DDT in them, a bird eats hundreds of these insects and the amount off DDT in them is from all of the insects they have eaten...a far greater concentration. Then larger organisms eat more of these birds...eventually becomes toxic as it is passed through food chains in this way. Maintaining the species biodiversity is very important to maintain a stable ecosystem, how about you do a little more research into the effects these things have on the environment as a whole before you start to say a few insects can be sacrificed for the greater good of humans...without all of these organisms we wouldn't have a stable ecosystem and then we'd be in trouble :)

Answer 3

They need the DDT. Tons more die because of mosquitos and malaria vs. DDT.

Also, this idea about DDT is from the 70s and from one propaganda book. Don't believe everything you read.

Answer 4

When DDT was first used it caused more human suffering than it saved, people lived generations with deformed children and chronical illnesses. The new DDT is safer than that original DDT but Green Terrorists will not accept it is now safer

Answer 5

Actually DDT is quite a problem for the environment...it really hurt Peregrine falcon populations when it was used in the US. It's nasty stuff for birds, bugs, and a lot of aquatic life...oh, and did you know that every organism has trace amounts of DDT in it? It's everywhere. It's not really harmful to humans...at least we've never found anything so far that hurts people, provided it's not eaten or anything.

Answer 6

the problems that DDT caused only happened becuase we used too much of it.The smallest posible amount of DDT on a hut in
Africa can keep mosquitos at bay for 6 months.As long as we aren't practically swimming in it,DDT is perfectly safe.

Answer 7

I agree that the "proof" behind the DDT ban is JUNK SCIENCE.

Answer 8

It's all George W Bush's fault.