DDT reintroduction for malaria control: the cost-benefit debate for public health

Abstract

DDT is a persistent insecticide that was widely used in the world from the 1940s until the 70s, when it was banned in the United States and other countries. Most of its toxic effects are not observed in the acute forms, but particularly after chronic exposure. These long-term issues include reproductive effects, varying according to the time of life in which the individuals were exposed. The aims of the current study were to review the principal toxicological effects of DDT on reproduction, stratifying by physiological periods of exposure, and based on the magnitude of these effects, to discuss the cost-benefit relationship of reintroducing DDT with the specifically defined vector control criteria.

How effective is dog culling in controlling zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis? a critical evaluation of the science, politics and ethics behind this public health policy

“…As a final point, the resumption of economic growth in emerging economies that are endemic with kala-azar, puts pressure on nations like Brazil, India and Iran to take on responsibilities of science and technology and to promote serious investments in the development of vaccines of a quality adequate for use in humans. Despite the great controversy surrounding the use of DDT, because of its persistence in the environment and toxicity 29,95,96 , tests should be urgently conducted concerning its application to control urban kala-azar. Until then, the most that can be done would be a gradual, scheduled and monitored demobilization of the elimination of dogs, accompanied by extensive independent testing and evaluation of different strategies for spraying and other alternatives, such as the effect of vaccines already licensed for dogs, or collars and mosquito nets impregnated with insecticides.…”

p,p’-DDT induces testicular oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in adult rats

“…Also, numerous analytical studies showed higher levels of DDT and its main metabolite 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p’-DDE) than the allowable daily intake in food [7], adipose tissues [8] and maternal milk [9] all over the world. The toxic effects of direct exposure of DDT in humans have been reviewed [10] and include endocrine disruptions [11], neurological diseases [12], cancer [13], reproductive diseases [14] and developmental abnormalities [15]. Studies have also shown that exposure to DDT provoke birth defects in wildlife [16].…”

Public health decisions: Actions and consequences

“…New methods for malaria control such as transmission-blocking vaccines and genetically modified mosquitoes are being developed (Ito et al, 2002; Richie and Saul, 2002); however, their usefulness has been questioned. Alternative environmental modification programs to eradicate mosquito larvae have also been investigated (Chanon et al, 2003; Guimaraes et al, 2007). They include methods such as intermittent irrigation in agriculture, removal of emerging vegetation to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, or introduction of larvicidal biological agents (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and some algae).…”