In 2008, the National Geographic reported that Heidi Geisz, a researcher at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science declared "we were surprised to find that levels had not declined but had stabilized”. Scientists discovered, when studying the melting ice of the Arctic, that a high level of DDT in the fat and eggs of penguins. In the past, researchers had found different results and made interpretations on the toxicity of DDT, however, since it was first used after WW2, DTT effects have been observed by scientists with years of studies and observations identifying side effects of DDT; bio-accumulation in animal fats and the ecosystem as well as by the resistance of mosquitoes to DTT. After more than 50 years of utilization, scientific observations have proved the supporters of DDT wrong.
The publication of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carlson in 1962, started a debate between scientists on the use and ban of DTT. Doctor R. Roberts, critics of the ban on DTT echoing a publication on the Science Magazine stated that critics of DTT were “phantasmagorical allegations” and declared that “history has shown that each and every one of these claims and predictions were false"(Easton 311). The first point advanced is that DDT degrades from living creatures. However, DDT has been observed in animal fats for years but this fact could not be measured immediately. According to the EPA “even though DDT has been banned since 1972, it can take more than 15 years to break down in our environment. Fish consumption advisories are in effect for DDT in many waterways including the Great Lakes ecosystem.” The second argument is that DDT cannot reach concentrations in water (Easton 311).
The publication of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carlson in 1962, started a debate between scientists on the use and ban of DTT. Doctor R. Roberts, critics of the ban on DTT echoing a publication on the Science Magazine stated that critics of DTT were “phantasmagorical allegations” and declared that “history has shown that each and every one of these claims and predictions were false"(Easton 311). The first point advanced is that DDT degrades from living creatures. However, DDT has been observed in animal fats for years but this fact could not be measured immediately. According to the EPA “even though DDT has been banned since 1972, it can take more than 15 years to break down in our environment. Fish consumption advisories are in effect for DDT in many waterways including the Great Lakes ecosystem.” The second argument is that DDT cannot reach concentrations in water (Easton 311).
Nevertheless, the phenomenon observed in the Great Lakes according to EPA, indicates “atmospheric deposition is the current source of new DDT contamination in our Great Lakes” leading to dangerous fish consumption for humans. The third argument is that DDT has no effect on animal population number (Easton 311). Yet, EPA has established the Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) and places “geographically specific use limitations on pesticides in order to protect endangered and threatened species from pesticides”. If this programs had been launched is because along the year it has been observed that DTT and other chemicals can poison plants and animals if they are not used correctly. The Fourth assumption is that there are no evidences that the Sea Lions’ population was affected by DTT. However, the Environmental Health Perspectives published in 2009 the result of a study where the observation on sea lions “demonstrate that embryonic exposure to DDTs leads to asymptomatic animals at completion of neurodevelopment with greater sensitivity to domoic acid–induced seizures,” furnishing the evidences needed to DTT opponents.
Theories on DDT are verifiable by more than half centuries of observations and scientific evaluations of DTT and most of them had shown that insects are resistant to DTT and that the long term damaged on the environmental are and will be present for years to come. However, both side agree of the urgent necessity to invest more in researches to combat malaria and that the developed countries cannot let millions of people dying around the world while simple sanitary measures such as bednets, the eradication of stagnant water in slumps and the education of women can make a difference. Malaria will not only be cured by spreading insecticides but buy improving living standards and education. The problem of malaria is not just toxicological problem but also a humanitarian and social problem.
Theories on DDT are verifiable by more than half centuries of observations and scientific evaluations of DTT and most of them had shown that insects are resistant to DTT and that the long term damaged on the environmental are and will be present for years to come. However, both side agree of the urgent necessity to invest more in researches to combat malaria and that the developed countries cannot let millions of people dying around the world while simple sanitary measures such as bednets, the eradication of stagnant water in slumps and the education of women can make a difference. Malaria will not only be cured by spreading insecticides but buy improving living standards and education. The problem of malaria is not just toxicological problem but also a humanitarian and social problem.
References:
Stemp-Morlock, G. (2008, May 12). Antarctic Melt Releasing DDT, Tainting Penguins. National Geographic News, 1. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/ 080512-penguins-ddt_2.html
Taking Sides: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, 13th Ed.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill. Paperback,
N.d. (n.d.). Pesticides: Endangered Species Protection Program [Learn more about Threatened and Endangered Species]. Retrieved from Evironmental Protection Agency database.
N.d. (n.d.). Pesticides: Topical & Chemical Fact Sheets [DDT - A Brief History and Status]. Retrieved from Evironmental Protection Agency database.
Tiedeken, J. A., & Ramsdell, J. S. (2009, January). DDT Exposure of Zebrafish Embryos Enhances Seizure Susceptibility: Relationship to Fetal p,p′-DDE Burden and Domoic Acid Exposure of California Sea Lions [Marine Biotoxins Program, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio. Environmental Health Perspectives, v.117(1) . Abstract retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2627867/
Stemp-Morlock, G. (2008, May 12). Antarctic Melt Releasing DDT, Tainting Penguins. National Geographic News, 1. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/ 080512-penguins-ddt_2.html
Taking Sides: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, 13th Ed.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill. Paperback,
N.d. (n.d.). Pesticides: Endangered Species Protection Program [Learn more about Threatened and Endangered Species]. Retrieved from Evironmental Protection Agency database.
N.d. (n.d.). Pesticides: Topical & Chemical Fact Sheets [DDT - A Brief History and Status]. Retrieved from Evironmental Protection Agency database.
Tiedeken, J. A., & Ramsdell, J. S. (2009, January). DDT Exposure of Zebrafish Embryos Enhances Seizure Susceptibility: Relationship to Fetal p,p′-DDE Burden and Domoic Acid Exposure of California Sea Lions [Marine Biotoxins Program, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio. Environmental Health Perspectives, v.117(1) . Abstract retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2627867/
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