Was the banning of DDT one of the worst decisions ever?

Question

As a result of this ban millions of people have died as a result of the increase in malaria and yet there was never any evidence DDT was harmful.

Another example of so called environmentalists causing massive death and destruction.

Answer 1

Actually if you look into it you'll find that DDT is an endocrine disruptor, a possible facilitator to carcinogenesis (it has been proven to cause liver tumours in animals), in fact many studies have shown links between DDT and various forms of cancer including rectal, pancreatic and lung cancers as well as multiple myleoma. It is also one of the many pesticides which causes skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema, as can be seen on many farmers in the developing world.

So, given that in general the countries where malaria is most widespread are also poorer countries that still use many pesticides and herbicides banned in the west, your point appears invalid.

Answer 2

I'd like to believe you. Where'd you hear that? Anything to get on a green priest's nerves, I'm there!

Course, if you're lying, you are just another priest in my black book of Lies.

Answer 3

DDT isn't banned. It is still in widespread use through out the third world. It is banned in the USA but despite this USAID financially supports it's use in poor countrys. Usage of DDT is declining because mosquitos are building up a resistance to it. It has been found to be largely useless after about seven years spraying in one area. Although mosquitos build up a resistance to it sadly no such resistance has been found in humans, primates, fish, amphibians or birds. The scientist who discovered DDT got a Nobel prize, he should have been shot.

Answer 4

Extremist groups share a common perception about the world. They are anti-science, anti-technology, anti-trade, anti-globalization - not just free trade, but all trade.

People who embrace extremist views and philosophies believe all large machines are inherently evil, and - worse - science is used to justify positions "that actually have nothing to do with science."

These viewpoints are naive, including the oft-stated wish to return to a "Garden of Eden." How ironic, that these same people use cell phones, laptops and jet planes as the main tools of their trade.

Answer 5

What sort of mind believes that substances are banned for no good reason? perhaps you'd like to see anarchy in the country just so that you can do as you like! For goodness sake employ your brain cell.

Answer 6

No, it saved a lot of our birds, "the Endangered Species Act: "It is generally acknowledged that banning DDT, which thinned bird's eggshells, brought back the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the brown pelican." The controversy over the pesticide DDT and bird eggshell thinning is still going strong more than 30 years after the pesticide was banned in the United States. "

Answer 7

well as far as i know there were not any claims of people dieing from it. It just polluted near by streams and killed "some fish" but scientific studies show that the ingredients in it are harmful. yet no test show that its harmful enough to humans to stop using it. If it did do any harm to humans then i am sure it would be less than what malaria does which i have experienced personally.

Answer 8

They banned it because it was killing off animals (mostly birds) that eat the bugs but still I think they should make a posion that will kill the bugs but is not harmful to other animals.

Answer 9

what they banned it