Page "DDT" Paragraph 14

DDT is the best-known of several chlorine-containing pesticides used in the 1940s and 1950s.

With pyrethrum in short supply, DDT was used extensively during World War II by the Allies to control the insect vectors of typhus — nearly eliminating the disease in many parts of Europe.

In the South Pacific, it was sprayed aerially for malaria and dengue fever control with spectacular effects.

While DDT's chemical and insecticidal properties were important factors in these victories, advances in application equipment coupled with a high degree of organization and sufficient manpower were also crucial to the success of these programs.

In 1945, it was made available to farmers as an agricultural insecticide, and it played a minor role in the final elimination of malaria in Europe and North America.

By the time DDT was introduced in the U. S., the disease had already been brought under control by a variety of other means.

One CDC physician involved in the United States ' DDT spraying campaign said of the effort that " we kicked a dying dog.