DEFENCE OF D.D.T.
Biologist Gives View (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) GENEVA, Jan. 29. A major disaster would result from any action limiting the use of D.D.T. disinfectant for the control of malaria in developing countries, according to a World Health Organisation expert. Mr James Wright told the organisation’s executive board yesterday that the safety record of D.D.T. to man was outstanding, and it had been responsible for saving millions of lives throughout the world.
No toxic effects had been reported in the last 20 years among 200,000 spraymen employed in malaria campaigns, nor among the 600 million to 1000 million people living in repeatedly-sprayed houses, he said.
D.D.T. had been for years one of the commonest disinfectants, but recently some countries had limited its use because of suspicions that it might cause harmful sideeffects, such as cancer. But extensive studies had been made in the United States on workers in D.D.T. plants, and no adverse effects had been recorded.
Allegations that D.D.T. could produce cancer in mice had not been substantiated, Mr Wright added, but the W.H.O. and the International Agency for Research on Cancer were making a major effort to evaluate the situation.
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Press, Volume CX, Issue 32209, 30 January 1970, Page 13
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191DEFENCE OF D.D.T. Press, Volume CX, Issue 32209, 30 January 1970, Page 13
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