Do you actually need me to cite my source on the fact that it harms birds and can lead to resistance? I can, if you need me to, but I didn't think those facts were in dispute. The extent of the problem is arguable, but all I'm asserting is that these are measurable effects. There is also evidence that DDT is harmful to humans, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be significantly more so than a ton of other things that we happily accept. It seems unlikely, for example, that DDT usage at its peak killed more people per year than air pollution from coal power.
Anyway, I think your general point is fair and that it was irresponsible to try to scare people away from controlled DDT use on mosquitoes. But I also think it's irresponsible to assert that DDT is safe. It's OK to use solutions that aren't safe if the benefits outweigh the risks.
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Do you actually need me to cite my source on the fact that it harms birds and can lead to resistance? I can, if you need me to, but I didn't think those facts were in dispute. The extent of the problem is arguable, but all I'm asserting is that these are measurable effects. There is also evidence that DDT is harmful to humans, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be significantly more so than a ton of other things that we happily accept. It seems unlikely, for example, that DDT usage at its peak killed more people per year than air pollution from coal power.
Anyway, I think your general point is fair and that it was irresponsible to try to scare people away from controlled DDT use on mosquitoes. But I also think it's irresponsible to assert that DDT is safe. It's OK to use solutions that aren't safe if the benefits outweigh the risks.