Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and the Environment: The Global Impact
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was first synthesized in 1873, but it was not until 1939 that a Swiss chemist, Paul Hermann Muller, discovered that it could be sprayed on walls and would cause any insect to die within the next six monther, without any apparent toxicity to humans. He was later awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his efforts. DDT's effectiveness, persistence, and low cost resulted in its use in anti-malarial efforts worldwide. It was introduced into widespread use durin…
