Environment in America

Posted: September 9th, 2013

Environment in America

Name:

Course:

Date:

Environment in America

Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite that is transferred to people by infected mosquitoes. Before the introduction of DDT, malaria was a big killer in 1960 where over 800,000 people had been dying from it annually (Greenberg, 1963). Invented by Paul Hermann Muller, a Swiss chemist in 1940, DDT was initially invented as a contact poison that soon made available for agricultural use. The increased usage of DDT by farmers was prompted by the shortage of pyrethrum and the outbreak of typhus. Farmers in parts of south Pacific also used DDT to control dengue fever. The WHO was also responsible for the proliferation of DDT through its worldwide program to eradicate malaria (Carson, 1962 13-4).

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was introduced to the public around 1877 and was initially used control household pests. DDT was equally less costly, effective and persistent and was soon used in anti-malarial efforts worldwide. The rate of deaths attributed to malaria by the 1960s required a fast solution that was provided by DDT. In an attempt to eradicate malaria, the application of DDT was done indiscriminately to cover all open areas, stagnant pools, bushes and other natural features. Farmers in America were specifically aggressive in using DDT in controlling malaria (Carson, 1962 17).

Over two decades, DDT has been relied upon to maintain human health. The publication of the Silent Spring by Rachel Carson in 1962 however changed the attitude toward the use of DDT in controlling harmful pests. Within the book, Carson argued that unrestrained and unmonitored use of DDT was injuring and killing animals, birds and humans. The book also educated the readers on the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use and urged them to change their attitudes and act to reduce the pollution (Lorus & Margery, 1962 12). Two opposing groups emerged over the use of DDT with one party supporting the use of DDT, as it had no harm on humans while the other party wanted to ban DDT as it had detrimental effects on the environment.

The impact of the publication was immense as the book played a large role in triggering ecologists into reinforcing the importance of balancing the elements of ecology. Later investigations into the claims made in the Silent Spring vindicated Carson’s allegations concerning the level of toxicity that DDT poses to living things. The uproar that ensued from these allegations prompted the then U.S. President John F. Kennedy to launch a probe headed by the Science Advisory Committee. The results of the investigations led to the strengthening of chemical pesticide policies. The Manufacturing Chemists Association, as well as other agencies, embarked on a nationwide campaign to educate the masses on the importance of proper usage of pesticides especially DDT (Young et al, 1976 27-9).

The reaction toward the Carson publication was mainly negative and originated from the chemical industry, scientists and policymakers such as Ronald Bailey who commented that “…Along with other researchers, she was simply ignorant of the facts. But after four decades in which tens of billions of dollars have been wasted chasing imaginary risks without measurably improving American health, her intellectual descendants don’t have the same excuse…”(Carson, 1962 35-6). This negative reaction toward the call for abolishing pesticides came amid new information on the detrimental effects of DDT on the bird population especially that of the robin population in Michigan. Apart from the animal population, DDT was also found to be hazardous among human beings. Traces of DDT were found in food products such as vegetables that caused health complications such as breast cancer in middle age. The ban on DDT occurred in 1972 when William Ruckelshaus announced that the chemical would be banned except for some special conditions.

References

Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring I – III: A reporter at large. The New Yorker, Vol. 38:17, 18, 19, June 16,23,30, 1962, Var. Page 35. Retrieved from http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1962/06/30/1962_06_30_035_TNY_CARDS_000271125

Greenberg DS (1963). Pesticides: White House Advisory Body Issues Report Recommending Steps to Reduce Hazard to Public. The New Yorker, Vol. 32:11. Retrieved from http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1962/06/30/1962_06_30_035_TNY_CARDS_000271125

Lorus & Margery M.(1962) There’s Poison All Around Us Now. The New York Times. Vol. 28:47. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/10/05/reviews/carson-spring.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Young, D. R., McDermott, D. J., & Heesen, T. C. (1976). DDT in Sediments and Organisms around Southern California Outfalls. Water Pollution Control Federation, 48, 8, 1919-1928. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/966357