Contributor: J. Mihelcic, Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-Director of Sustainable Futures Institute
Synopsis:
Malaria is a disease that costs nations millions of dollars in health care each year. In most developing countries, the most effective way to control outbreaks is through the use of insecticides. The most common insecticide for the control of malaria is DDT. The problem with DDT is that it persists in the environment (i.e.: it does not degrade quickly) and is carcinogenic. Therefore, many countries have banned its use.
Is the use of DDT more harmful to the global environment than its public health benefit?