Examining the Impact of Science and Technology in the Society Through the Case of Ddt and Silent Spring

Examining the Impact of Science and Technology in the Society through the Case of DDT and Silent Spring

Group Discussion

STS 1 S A.Y. 2015-2016 2nd Semester

April 7, 2016

Big Group # 3^[a]

Abad, Ysabel Dawn B.
Ajero, Darla Mae S.
Del Pilar, Hannah Jesly T.
Jamora, David Samuel S.
Mabagos, Karen Lou S.
Mantac, Lorraine Kate DM.

Meclat, Vanessa Yvonne B.
Ordillo, Kay Althea F.
Resurrecion, Andrei Jeremiah P.

Robles, Mariecor Elsie B.

Tan, Miguel Anthony S.

Toledo, Miguel Angelo Francesco C.

Valenzuela, John Timothy B.
Velunta, Ian Yeshua A.

University of the Philippines Los Banos

INTRODUCTION

Brief History

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was one of the first chemicals in widespread use as a pesticide. Following World War II, it was promoted as a wonder-chemical (hailed as “the wonder chemical of World War II”), the simple solution to pest problems large and small. DDT was developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides in the 1940s. It was initially used with great effect to combat malaria, typhus, and the other insect-borne human diseases among both military and civilian populations. It also was effective for insect control in crop and livestock production, institutions, homes, and gardens. DDT's quick success as a pesticide and broad use in the United States and other countries led to the development of resistance by many insect pest species. It was first synthesized by Othmar Zeidler in 1874 but its insecticidal qualities were not discovered until 1939 by the Swiss chemist Paul Muller. The American military began testing it in 1942 and it quickly became the cardinal weapon used to protect troops in areas laden with vector-borne diseases such as typhus and malaria. (Bailey)

After the war was over, farmers adopted the use of the pesticide since it was cheaper - as low as $0.25 per pound - and less damaging than previous arsenic-based insecticides. Testing by the U.S. Public Health Service and the US Food and Drug Administration Division of Pharmacology found no serious human toxicity problems, since it is an organochloride insecticide, which by nature is not acutely toxic. However, these are very persistent, biodegrade slowly, and build up in the food chain, causing negative side effects in the long term. Only small amounts of DDT were used in World War II, but with the experts' blessing and a cheap price, its use was ubiquitous. In the 1960s, 400,000 tons were applied annually worldwide (about 70% was for agricultural use), eradicating Malaria entirely in the southern U.S and increasing agricultural output. Some believe it directly decreased the number of farmers in the country because it increased output so greatly. Sweden banned DDT in 1970, and U.S. in 1972 because of environmental concerns. DDT continues to be used as an insecticide in some developing countries for "essential public health purposes" but is no longer used in agriculture. A few countries, including the U.S., still produce DDT today. Some still question the decision to ban it because of its effectiveness in cheaply combating vector-borne diseases.

Key Persons Behind DDT

Othmar Zeidler (August 29, 1850 - June 17, 1911), an Austrian chemist, credited with the first synthesis of DDT in 1874. However, he did not recognize its usefulness as an insecticide as Paul Hermann Muller did in 1939. Paul Hermann Muller (January 12, 1899 -October 12, 1965), a Swiss Scientist, who worked for JR Geigy AG. It is there where he discovered DDT as an insecticide which proved to be useful in controlling many vector-borne diseases including malaria and yellow fever. He patented the pesticide in Switzerland (1940), the US (1942), and Australia (1943). Muller recognized that DDT was a useful insecticide. It is very useful in eliminating mosquitoes and consequently in controlling the spread of malaria, typhus, and other vector-borne diseases. It was used heavily in World War II and up until the early 1960s, until 1962 when American biologist Rachel Carson published Silent Spring which allegedly claimed that DDT causes Cancer and harms reproduction in birds.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Human Aspect

Malaria is one of the most common causes of deaths in the world population wherein almost half of it (3.2 billion people) are affected. This disease is caused by Anopheles mosquito bites (World Health Organization, 2016). As part of the measures to control malaria, spraying of DDT was applied. WHO promotes DDT in combating malaria at least in the context of IRS and within the Stockholm Convention (Palmer, 2006). As a result, the malaria affliction rate severely reduced when DDT was used in equatorial or tropical countries where mosquitoes are most prominent especially in Africa (Mwangi, 2006). Another advantage is that DDT is also inexpensive and very easy to produce when compared to the alternatives (Walker, 2000). DDT’s effects on humans are not clear. It is linked with cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental effects. DDE, a derivative component of DDT, can be a possible cause for lower semen quality (Jager, et al., 2006), early miscarriages (Venners, et al., 2005), and fetus developmental delay thereby qualifying it as a Stockholm Convention POP. (Brenda, et al., 2009).

Environmental Aspect

Clearly, DDT has numerous benefits to humans. When it comes to the environment, there are some advantages too in using the said insecticide. DDT is less toxic to the natural environment than its alternatives (i.e., banned dieldrin and cypermethrin derivatives) in improving public health safety in human environments and especially when used within the *Stockholm Convention limits (burn0365, 2009). DDT, when, used properly is not severely dangerous to birds and to the general wildlife unless used on a massive scale likethe way it was used back in the 1950-1960s. (Edwards, 2004)

Consequently, DDT has also adverse effects on the environment.  In large doses, DDT can cause very noticeable wildlife effects. Egg shell thinning, which is an outcome when birds took in DDT in large doses, affected the avian population and decreased reproductive rates especially in eagles and hawks. The insecticide can also prove fatal to its resident fishes (Edwards, 2004). Lastly, DDT can contaminate environments. The land is contaminated, as with most chemical pesticides, leading to contaminated produce and feed for animals. Lakes, streams, etc., can be poisoned. The air becomes contaminated leading into bird population decrease and human/animal inhalation. (Cleveland, Weis, & Monosson, 2008)

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