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'''Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane''', commonly known as DDT, is a synthetic organic chemical compound that was first made in 1874 by Othmar Zeidler, an German-Austrian chemist.

'''Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane''', commonly known as DDT, is a synthetic organic chemical compound that was first made in 1874 by Othmar Zeidler, an German-Austrian chemist.

In 1939, Paul Hermann Müller<ref>In 1948 Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for his discovery of the high efficiency of DDT as a contact poison against several arthropods."</ref>, a Swiss chemist working for Geigy Pharmaceutical, discovered its pesticidal qualities.  It was soon put to good use by Allied forces in World War II to help control [[malaria]] and [[typhus]], especially in the Asian and Pacific theatres.  

In 1939, Paul Hermann Müller,<ref>In 1948 Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for his discovery of the high efficiency of DDT as a contact poison against several arthropods."</ref> a Swiss chemist working for Geigy Pharmaceutical, discovered its pesticidal qualities.  It was soon put to good use by Allied forces in World War II to help control [[malaria]] and [[typhus]], especially in the Asian and Pacific theatres.  

Following the war it was used widely with great success to eliminate the last pockets of malaria from North America and Europe. In 1955 the [[World Health Organization]] started a program to eradicate malaria worldwide, largely through the spraying of DDT.  Brazil, Egypt, the former Soviet Union and several Asian and Caribbean countries were freed from malaria, and 700 million people from risk of infection.

Following the war it was used widely with great success to eliminate the last pockets of malaria from North America and Europe. In 1955 the [[World Health Organization]] started a program to eradicate malaria worldwide, largely through the spraying of DDT.  Brazil, Egypt, the former Soviet Union and several Asian and Caribbean countries were freed from malaria, and 700 million people from risk of infection.

In 1970, DDT was banned in Norway and Sweden.  The U.S. banned it in 1972, and the UK in 1984.  Most developed countries have banned its use but it is still used for disease control in some tropical countries where no other methods exist. The quantities required for public welfare are a small fraction of the amount previously used for agricultural purposes.

In 1970, DDT was banned in Norway and Sweden.  The U.S. banned it in 1972, and the UK in 1984.  Most developed countries have banned its use but it is still used for disease control in some tropical countries where no other methods exist. The quantities required for public welfare are a small fraction of the amount previously used for agricultural purposes.

In 2001, 98 countries ratified the [[Stockholm Convention]], which calls for the elimination of DDT and other persistent organic chemicals after May 17, 2004, except for emergency health crises. However, in the absence of a suitable replacement, DDT is still allowed for disease vector control. In 2006 the World Health Organization announced that it will use DDT for [[indoor residual spraying]] (IRS) in epidemic and endemic areas to reduce childhood mortality from malaria. <ref>[http://malaria.who.int/docs/IRS-position.pdf] WHO - Indoor Residual Spraying - position paper</ref>

In 2001, 98 countries ratified the [[Stockholm Convention]], which calls for the elimination of DDT and other persistent organic chemicals after May 17, 2004, except for emergency health crises. However, in the absence of a suitable replacement, DDT is still allowed for disease vector control. In 2006 the World Health Organization announced that it will use DDT for [[indoor residual spraying]] (IRS) in epidemic and endemic areas to reduce childhood mortality from malaria.<ref>[http://malaria.who.int/docs/IRS-position.pdf] WHO - Indoor Residual Spraying - position paper</ref>

==See also==

==See also==