capabilities. The chemical is a nonsystemic contact and stomach insecticide with a broad spectrum of insecticidal activity ("DDT", 1991, pp. 179-249). It is made by condensing chloral hydrate with chlorobenzene in the presence of sulfuric acid. By 1943, with the development of low-cost production methods, the compound began to be manufactured commercially. During World War II, DDT was applied directly to humans for the control of lice and other insects. Such vectors are known to carry diseases including malaria, typhus, river blindness, yellow fever, trypanosomiasis, plague, and encephalitis. In 1946, DDT was recognized as one of the most important disease-preventing agents; indeed, its primary advocate, Dr. Paul Mnller, was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1948 (Claus & Borlander, 1977, pp. 288-422).
Since World War II, DDT has been used worldwide for the control of insects. Peak usage occurred in 1963 when 80 million kilograms of DDT were used. In 1973, it was estimated that, since 194
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