God help us (Metlakatla: neighborhood, prices, agricultural)

[Rance]

Yup. It caused the egg shells to become paper thin or something.

[Moose Hollow]

I thought so...now I'm really showing my age!

[Classic Satch]

Here are some good articles:

Bring Back DDT!

The DDT Insecticide Ban... What Was the Truth Behind it?

The Straight Dope: Was Rachel Carson a fraud and is DDT actually safe for humans?


Just like what is going on with this ridiculous global warming hysteria, DDT was banned based upon emotion and not the facts. The big difference is that Chicken Little Al Gore's nonsense could conceivably cost billions of dollars and hamstring our economy to fight a 'phantom menace'. (I couldn't resist)

[Moose Hollow]

Satch,

Don't you think it was important because of the adverse effects on just the bald eagle alone? Especially in Alaska where bald eagles are so popular!

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Moose Hollow

Satch,

Don't you think it was important because of the adverse effects on just the bald eagle alone? Especially in Alaska where bald eagles are so popular!

The answer is quite simple, don't use it here. However, in Africa where millions die every year due to mosquito-borne malaria, it should definitely be used. The facts about DDT stand in direct contravention of Carson's claims. I watched a show the other day about how Rachel Carson's writings have been proven to be utterly wrong over the past 40 years.

[Moose Hollow]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

The answer is quite simple, don't use it here. However, in Africa where millions die every year due to mosquito-borne malaria, it should definitely be used. The facts about DDT stand in direct contravention of Carson's claims. I watched a show the other day about how Rachel Carson's writings have been proven to be utterly wrong over the past 40 years.

I was just concerned with the use of DDT on wildlife not to mention possible human adverse effects. I have to ask though, playing the devils advocate...why is it okay to use DDT in third world countries to combat mosquitoes but not here in the United States? If the chemical is proven bad for lets say for the sake of argument (or discussion); the American Bald Eagle, how do we know it isn't bad on some other bird of prey or raptor flying around in a third world country? Why not introduce a species of swallow to combat mosquitoes as an example instead of a chemical? Don't we have enough chemicals in this world that we cannot dispose of correctly without bringing back those that we have already eliminated in our society? As for Rachel Carson, I have not qualifications to speak about her having never heard of her before. I guess I've been living under a rock all of these years.

[MissingAll4Seasons]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

The answer is quite simple, don't use it here. However, in Africa where millions die every year due to mosquito-borne malaria, it should definitely be used.

I think the obvious assumption and motivation here is that human life and quality of health is more important than any other species on the planet. Many people believe this way, and those who don't have ZERO chance convincing them otherwise. There are several products and artifically created chemical concoctions in use to improve human life, and supposedly health, that have never been properly tested (if tested at all) to determine the long-term effects on the entire eco-system. Since humans very often forget (or choose to ignore) that they are also a part of this eco-system and that their actions do have an impact up and down the food chain, they just go about business as usual with nary a second thought. As long as their life is fine, there is no problem (well, until there is a problem -- and then they whine about how the gov't or someone should have done something).

The only thing left to do is for the people who are concerned to take as much personal accountability, responsibility and action on the individual and, perhaps, like-minded community level. If those people can responsibly educate (NOT freak out and alarm) any fence-sitters who seem open to seeing a different perspective, that's just an extra bonus!

[Moose Hollow]

Satch,

You don't have to live in Africa to contract Malaria! I contracted a mild case in the early 1970's up in Maine. I certainly didn't advocate back then that they should renew the spraying of DDT.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Moose Hollow

Satch,

You don't have to live in Africa to contract Malaria! I contracted a mild case in the early 1970's up in Maine. I certainly didn't advocate back then that they should renew the spraying of DDT.

The difference between getting it here and there is obviously the availability of proper medical care. However, if you read the articles that I posted, DDT's negative aspects were completely and totally overstated and it's effectiveness in controlling mosquitos is unmatched.

Damn that Swede guy, he got me started on this DDT thing. However, given that the info put forth in the media about it is all wrong, I felt the need to comment.

[Moose Hollow]

Understand! Now on a more favorable note...Hurray for the Polar Bear! Good news I hope!