Should DDT be used to control malaria in Africa?

Question

http://www.aaenvironment.com/DDT.htm

Answer 1

Yes, DDT has a good track record over the years. but  there are other means of controlling malaria.  

The bitter melon is a good natural alternative.  

Many countries around the world like, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Brazil use bitter melon to fight malaria.   Bitter melon is use to treat many other health problems.

Answer 2

Reading current research into DDT is shows that it is not only a very effective chemical to use against mosquitoes (how malaria is spread), but does not harm humans or animals as originally claimed by Rachel Carson in " Silent Spring".

So yes, DDT should be used to control malarial mosquitoes.  The remaining question, should Rachel Carson be tried for genocide for the estimated 9 million people who have died from malaria needlessly?

Answer 3

No, DDT is a a very harmful pesticide.  Newer and less harmful pesticides are available.  The problem with DDT is that it is a wide range pesticide (it affects more than just it's target pest) and lasts in the ecosystem for at least 10 years.  This means that DDT biomagnifies and affects larger animals (such as birds like the bald eagle).  Our national bird almost went extinct because of DDT, do you really think we should use it?

Edit: I don't really use junkscience as a science source.  And most scientists still like DDT and the decline of the bald eagle.  Yes, before DDT was used the bald eagle started to decline because of hunting, but DDT contributed to the decline.  And when DDT was banned, the eagle started to come back.

http://www.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?cont...

http://www.usflag.org/baldeagle.html

http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/p...

http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/detail...

Answer 4

No DDT should not be used , we should explore for the alternatives using the medicinal plants . If we see for the short term use this DDT will pollute the water which has long term effect and once polluted we cannot regain it back.