WHO backs DDT for malaria control (BBC)

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Friday, 15 September 2006, 15:37 GMT 16:37 UK

WHO backs DDT for malaria control

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reversed a 30-year policy
by endorsing the use of DDT for malaria control.

The chemical is sprayed inside houses to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

DDT has been banned globally for every use except fighting disease
because of its environmental impacts and fears for human health.

WHO says there is no health risk, and DDT should rank with bednets and
drugs as a tool for combating malaria, which kills more than one million
each year.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5350068.stm

[Massacure]

1. Uh, what the hell?

Whats with the sudden 180?

[Viking12]

2. I don't believe the WHO has "changed" positions..

As far as I know they've always supported inside spraying. It's a good thing too. It's very effective malaria fighting tool that doesn't cause the environmental problems and pestcide resistance brought on by indiscrminate agricultural applications.

I think the writer only now realized the WHO supported limited use of DDT and, because he likely believed the anti-environmentalist lies told about the supposed DDT ban, he thought the WHO changed positions.