U.S. takes new view on DDT in Africa

DDT was banned in the US by an executive action of Nixon era EPA administrator William Rucklehouse, based on what he stated at the time were political, not scientific considerations. DDT is about as close to harmless to humans as a synthetic chemical can be. In spite of a plethora of enviro objections to it largely based on what is best described as “junk science”, it is also relatively benign in the environment, in spite of the 60’s propaganda masterpiece Silent Spring.

U.S. government officials are enthusiastically endorsing and funding the use of DDT in sub-Saharan Africa after years of resisting calls from scientists who said the insecticide would be the best weapon for fighting malaria, despite lingering objections by some environmentalists.

In the final analysis, there is nothing as good, or as cheap for controlling malaria-carrying mosquitos. This ultimate reality has at last trumped moonbat environmentalism in the interest of saving human life. (What a concept!)

The insecticide credited with eliminating malaria in the Western world years ago was outlawed in the United States in 1972 and is banned in most countries because of environmental concerns and unsubstantiated fears it can harm humans.

Score one for the good guys!