The available epidemiologic and scientific data indicate that the presence and persistence of DDT and its metabolites worldwide are still problems of great relevance to public health. It has been debated at the United Nations Environment Program whether DDT should have been totally banned together with 11 other persistent organic pollutants.
If there is a single pesticide almost everyone can name, it's DDT. DDT was one of the first chemicals in widespread use as a pesticide. Following World War II, it was promoted as a wonder-chemical, the simple solution to pest problems large and small. Today, nearly 40 years after DDT was banned in the U.S., we continue to live with its long-lasting effects.
As evidence of the harm, DDT was causing began to grow, countries worldwide started to ban the chemical or restrict its use. By 1970, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden had banned DDT, and despite overwhelming pressure from the U.S. chemical industry, the production and use of DDT were banned in the United States in 1972.
The ban answered the policy question of whether DDT should be used in the U.S.; it did not, however, answer the scientific question of whether DDT was safe for humans or the environment. 28 Ruckelshaus's written opinion on the rule stated that DDT's potential carcinogenicity figured prominently in his final decision to ban the chemical. 32 But DDT's potential to harm human health remained just.
Consequently, whereas DDT has ever since been banned in most parts of the world due to the recognized human health and environmental risks, it is still in use in some parts of the world because it provides the best achievable health benefits; this raises the paradox that has been recognized by the centrist position. It is undeniable.
Present regulations ban the manufacture and use of DDT in many, but not all, countries. Should it be banned everywhere? Why or why not? Under what circumstances might the use of DDT be acceptable? Explain; Currently in the Unites States, the insecticide malathion is widely used to control mosquitoes that may carry Westi Nile virus.
With the uncertainty surrounding the Zika virus, which could turn to panic if it reaches epidemic proportions in the U.S., mosquito control may become more important than ever. Although it hasn't been used here since 1972, DDT is creeping into discussions about how to contain the virus. It's unlikely to be used, but in the meantime we ask: What is DDT? And is it really poisonous?