DDT’s global use increased significantly after World War II due to its effectiveness against malaria-spreading mosquitoes and typhus-carrying lice. However, problems emerged in the late 1940s, including the development of insect resistance and high toxicity towards fish.
What led to the extensive global use of DDT after World War II, and what problems emerged with its widespread application?
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After World War II, the extensive global use of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) was fueled by its effectiveness in controlling disease vectors and pests. DDT played a crucial role in combating malaria and agricultural pests, earning its discoverer, Paul Hermann Müller, the Nobel Prize. However, problems emerged with its widespread application. DDT’s persistence in the environment led to bioaccumulation in ecosystems, causing harm to non-target organisms and threatening wildlife. Concerns about its environmental impact, ecological disruptions, and human health risks eventually led to restrictions and bans on DDT in many countries, marking a pivotal moment in the history of pesticide regulation.