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It is estimated that in the early 1940s nearly 3 MILLION people per year died of Malaria. An effective spraying regimen was instituted, and by 1950 the number of annual deaths had dropped to under a million per year, and those occurred mainly in areas where DDT was unused. This is a remarkable success story for an insecticide. It has effectively saved millions of lives.
By the end of the 20th century, malaria's last major outpost remained Sub-Saharan Africa (where a million people per year succumb to its ravages). Environmental groups and world governments have effectively banned the use of DDT world-wide before it's work could be completed. Why has DDT suddenly become so reviled? First, in the 1950s this unnatural synthesized product was found in mother's milk. Second, it was associated with the thinning of eggshells in birds of prey. Bald eagles were becoming scarce even in the land that claimed the bird as its national emblem.
In 1962 Rachel Carson came out with her "Silent Spring" which revealed all the environmental problems with DDT. In 1972 DDT was banned in the United States. Yet, by this time Malaria was no longer a problem that confronted American's directly. Meanwhile the environmental movement worked to get DDT banned world-wide. They came near to achieving this goal in December of 2000 with a UN Environmental Program.
As Indur Goklany points out in his book, The Precautionary Principle, there are indeed health risks associated with the excessive use of DDT. There are substitutes considered more environmentally friendly, but these substitutes are very expensive. So expensive as to make them cost prohibitive in the third world. Past uses of DDT had farmers lavishing it on their crops and spreading heavy doses of the insecticide far and wide. No wonder it had such an effect upon the environment.
Using risk assessment techniques, Goklany suggests there might be a reasonable alternative to a total ban on the use of DDT (which would condemn millions to the assault of deadly insect borne diseases). A limited use of DDT in buildings and homes would effectively prevent the infection of many people and would, at the same time, limit its impact on the environment. The question remains whether exposure to DDT within buildings is carcinogenic. As Mr. Goklany points out, the short term saving of lives is worth the risk of the possible long-term effects.
This report relies heavily on Indur Goklany's book, The Precautionary Principle.
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