DDT

Three Most Interesting Points:

1.       The article’s opinion on DDT differs wildly from that of past articles. While the past articles would focus on the detriments of DDT, this one has the health of African countries still stricken with malaria outbreaks in mind, rather than the side-effects of DDT itself; in their point of view, DDT is the lesser evil in a continent that still struggles with malaria.

Should have waited to whip this out.

2.    So that at least answered my question about why anyone could see benefits in using insecticides heavily. The article claims that the use of DDT will help control malaria and cites the difference in malaria outbreaks between South Africa and Mozambique. DDT is touted as a cheap and effective mosquito-killer.

3.    DDT (and DDE) can be harmful to healthy neurodevelopment in very young children, although the mothers’ breast milk was still found to be beneficial to the child.

Question: While the stance is understandable, DDT is but a toxic band-aid solution; shouldn’t more focus be put upon introducing vaccinations and affordable healthcare?

To Look For: Mosquitos?