Alternatives to DDT

1
Alternatives to DDT

• Janice Jensen, USEPA
• LRTAP POPs Task Force
• March 1, 2004

2
Purpose

• Review availability feasibility of safer and
  economically viable alternatives to DDT
• Coordinate with WHO, UNEP, FAO
• Final review due by one year after EIF

3
DDT Global Production Use

• Intend to produce - Stockholm Convention
• China
• India
• Russian Federation
• Indicated the need to use - Stockholm Conv
• Disease vector control (32 countries)
• Intermediate to produce dicofol (Brazil, China)
• As contaminant in dicofol (Korea)

4
World Health Organization

• Action Plan to reduce reliance on DDT
• Component of Roll Back Malaria
• WHO will assist countries to reduce reliance on
  DDT
• Concerned about re-emergence of malaria in areas
  considered eradicated

5
Alternative Vector Control Strategies

• Factors that contribute to DDT use
• Malaria transmission intensity
• Vector biology and ecology
• Health and vector control services
• Available resources
• Insufficient knowledge base
• Lack of safe, cost-effective alternatives

6
Instead of DDT, countries rely on

• Other residual insecticides
• Biological control
• Personal protective measures such as impregnated
  bed nets
• Environmental management

7
Chemical Pesticides

• WHO pesticide evaluation scheme
• Evaluates new products
• Identifies pesticides that meet WHO standards and
  guidelines for malaria control
• Assesses pesticide cost effectiveness-case by
  case
• DDT may be least expensive-cost per house

8
1990 Cost Comparison of Insecticides

Reference K. Walker, Medical and Veterinary
Entomology (2000) 14, 345-354.
9
WHO Insecticides Suitable for Indoor Spraying
10
Conclusions

• DDT is not produced or used by most countries in
  the UNECE region
• Malaria is not a significant health problem in
  the region
• However, malaria is re-emerging in areas where it
  was considered eradicated
• Several pesticides are routinely used for vector
  control in place of DDT
• Cost data indicate that DDT may be the least
  expensive pesticide on a cost per house basis
• Insect resistance, high cost, and market access
  may limit insecticide choice
• Other interventions (early diagnosis and
  treatment) may be more cost effective than VC