Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane - Article ExampleIt is evident that the effect of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane as an indoor residual insecticide (IRS) lasts longer i.e. for approximately 6 to 12 months unlike other(a) insecticides theatrical roled to control malaria vectors whose effect lasts for only 2 to 6 months. In addition, other disease cause vectors argon repelled by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane thus forced to migrate to other locations (Atkinson, 2009). Once DDT is clothed into the body of insects and pesticides it immediately destroys them by affecting their nervous system. DDT inhibits the neurons where it opens up sodium ion channels. This causes the channels to exonerate up spontaneously leading to death of the affected pest or insect. DDT also acts on the shells of mosquito eggs thinning them to the extent of destroying the life of the pupa. This is because DDT manages to impair the shell glands that be supposed to slide by calcium carbonate to aid in the d evelopment of the egg (Hayes, 2010). Therefore, DDT provides a simple and sustainable pest control strategy that is suitable for most of the mosquito prone regions. However, due to health and environmental concerns brought out by the use of DDT, this chemical should only be used with extreme caution to ensure tout ensemble the stipulated requirements are followed and there is no other safer and affordable means that can be used. This is because the prolonged use of DDT causes environmental degradation, infertility, breast cancer, genital birth defects, brain damages and diabetes. DDT is quite perpetual and thus does non degrade that easily. In fact, it has the ability of remaining active for decades. On the other hand, it is not soluble in water therefore it is not washed away easily from the soil. These two facts are the core reasons for the development of the myriad controversies surrounding DDT in regards to its sentry go towards health of human beings, plants and animals an d the safety and sustainability of the environment. As a result, it has raised a paradigm because it is not ethical to let people spend from malaria and yet the effect of malaria can be curtailed by the use of DDT. On the other side, it is also not ethical to continue supporting the prolonged use of DDT since it poses a risk to the human nation and the environment (Hayes, 2010). Unfortunately, the volume of sprayed DDT in households is gradually increasing to alarming rates. In fact, quite alarming results were revealed according to a conducted study in the volume of semen and sperm count in males existing in households that use DDT. The sperm count and semen volume of the male with high levels of DDT in their blood were extremely low when compared to others. Moreover, DDT is absorbed into body tissues and can even be transferred to infants through with(predicate) breast milk. In addition, DDT has a stable chemical structure thus making it possible for the chemical to stay in the environment for decades without degrading. These facts are supported by the adverse results that DDT had in America when it was sprayed to control the spread of mosquitoes and crop pests. Its effects nearly wiped out all the pelican and bald eagles (Atkinson, 2009). However, in most of the developing countries other alternatives of controlling mosquito vectors including the use of bed nets that have been treated with insecticides and use of anti-malaria drugs are not as effective as the use of DDT. This is in contrast to most developed countries where the DDT alternatives are relatively effective. This is