Convention Okays DDT

[TO Kid]

THE use of DDT will not be banned for the next 20 years.

A global campaign to eliminate the 12 most dangerous chemicals has okayed the use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which is listed among the eight most hazardous drugs, to eliminate mosquitoes in developing countries until 2025.

The 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants which is due to come into effect today, is spearheading a campaign to control the use of toxic organic compounds.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200405170571.html

This is a welcome move- the campaign against DDT was almost genocidal.

[havocmom]

1. So what happens when the bird population falls due to the DDT?

Many birds species eat bugs. Using something which also diminishes the bird population seems counterproductive if cutting down bug populations is the goal.

What does DDT do to frog and toad populations? What does it do to lizard populations? While DDT does a good job making the world safe for shareholders of the company which makes it, it isn't the cure all for mosquito born illnesses.

[TO Kid]

2. Bizarre assertions

The myth that DDT affects bird populations was debunked ages ago, the line about thin eggshells was a lie and bird populations increased during the time the DDT use was widespread. Also, the use of DDT for malaria control results in very small quantities being released into the environment- the most effective antimalaria measures are spraying the interiors of homes twice a year and using mosquito nets that are impregnated with DDT. As for the profit angle, it is minimal because the patent for DDT expired ages ago and anyone can produce it. Or do you prefer seeing a couple of million Africans die each year? You do know that proponents of the DDT ban in the 70s cited population control as a reason to stop using it, don't you?

[jpak]

4. DDT metabolites do affect shell development in rap tors

and fish eating birds.

The US ban on DDT was instrumental in the recovery of the bald eagle, brown pelican, peregrine falcon and osprey - all were driven to near extinction by widespread use of DDT.

DDT metabolites (specifically DDE) affect shell development in black ducks, cormorants and other aquatic bird species as well.

Specious greenwash statements regarding DDT have been "debunked" repeatedly and are nothing more than RW claptrap.

check this out...

http://www.environmentalreview.org/vol01/anderson.html

other DDT links

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/ASeaInTrouble.html

http://euclid.dne.wvfibernet.net/~jvg/Env222/Biomarkers%20in%20Pop.%20Studies.html

http://contaminants.fws.gov/examples/AlaskaPeregrine.cfm

http://www.anbp.org/Leopold5.htm

[Viking12]

5. False assertions

"The myth that DDT affects bird populations was debunked ages ago, the line about thin eggshells was a lie and bird populations increased during the time the DDT use was widespread."


It does affect birds, just not all species, the most pronounced effects are on those birds that have thick shells. You've bought into the anti-environment distortion of the evidence.


"Also, the use of DDT for malaria control results in very small quantities being released into the environment- the most effective antimalaria measures are spraying the interiors of homes twice a year and using mosquito nets that are impregnated with DDT."

If it is actually use that way, yes little is released. However, it was regularly used as a general pesticide sprayed over large areas. Ironically, such applications are counter-productive in fighting mosquitoes as they develop DDT resistance within a few years making the "proper" use ineffective.

[havocmom]

6. Perhaps you should get more variety in your reading material

Rush and the shrub are not good sources. Sorry, your BS won't wash. DDT is not the best way to rid areas of skitters! And it does damage other creatures. How come the eagle and the pelican made such an amazing comeback after the ban? I used to count birds. Your hogwash just won't wash.

[jpak]

3. More greenwash nonsense

http://info-pollution.com/ddtban.htm

Propane/octenol mosquito traps are a far more effective method of mosquito control than pesticides. They can extirpate local mosquito populations with no impact on other organisms.

Genocidal Environmentalism??? Bullshit RW talking points.

[theoceansnerves]

7. cheering ddt?

wtf is going on around here.

[TreeHuggingLiberal]

8. Actually the campaign was no where near genocidal...

there are many, many other more productive and less harmful ways to deal with mosquitoes.