Carson's true view on using DDT
IN DERRICK Z. Jackson’s June 26 column about the issue of renewed DDT usage in Africa, he writes: “At ground zero of malaria control, Abwang Bernard is so persuasive, he might get permission to spray from even (‘Silent Spring’ author Rachel) Carson herself.’’ In fact, Carson would almost surely approve the small-scale home spraying of DDT, since she discussed the importance of this practice in her book.
Carson didn’t denounce DDT applications such as spraying around the home or treating bed nets with DDT. Rather, she denounced the use of DDT for wide-area spraying, such as an agricultural pesticide, or to try to kill all of the mosquitoes in an area of several square miles. Among other reasons for opposing this irresponsible practice, such as its devastating effects on bird populations, she also discussed the threat of breeding DDT-resistant mosquitoes.
Her fears proved prescient. In Sri Lanka, the wide area-spraying of DDT eliminated malaria - for a couple of years. Then, it came roaring back as DDT-resistant mosquitoes proliferated, and people were unable to protect their homes. The result was more malaria deaths than before DDT was introduced.
Thank goodness Carson’s warnings were eventually heeded.
Joseph Boyle
Lowell 