Synthetic pesticides since the beginning of their use have been found in all .
Residues of synthetic pesticides have been .
recovered in many major river systems, soil, fish, reptiles, birds, and humans .
as well. Synthetic pesticides are becoming more widely used than ever before, .
but should we be using them. I am going to explore the cost and benefits of .
using synthetic pesticides on both the environment as well as humans.
One of the most widely known synthetic pesticides is DDT or otherwise known as .
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. DDT is part of the group of synthetic .
pesticides known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. DDT was originally discovered by .
accident by a German Graduate Student in 1873, but was not put into full use .
until 1939 when Paul Mueller discovered that DDT was most effective in .
controlling malaria carrying misquotes. DDT became so popular in the control of .
mosquitoes that over four billion pounds were used world wide in 1940.
Although DDT was very popular around the world, little was known about he .
effects that the poison could have on the environment as well as animals, .
including humans. DDT was initially thought to be harmless to humans" because of .
its use on soldiers to kill lice; little to no side effects was detected. .
However, DDT was discovered to be stored in the fat of animals and build up .
over time, which has the ability to cause chronic poisoning. " Scientists .
disagree about how much DDT is poisonous, but it is known that the .
average person is storing potentially harmful amounts." (Carson 22). .
The EPA banned all uses of DDT in the United States in 1973, and many .
countries all around the world have followed in the footsteps of the United .
States. Currently, Western environmental extremists are pushing for the world-.
wide ban on DDT, which could cause millions of deaths in malaria prone nations .
around the world. "The banning of its domestic use led to its diminished .