Another DDT issue...???

["Lieskovsky, Miro" <MLieskovsky@nbpower.com>]

Radsafers:

I often read "Access to Energy" previously published by late prof. P.
Beckman and now continued by Dr. A. Robinson.  

Although I can not recall in which issue it was mentioned the last time,
both authors repeatedly talked about the tremendous harm caused by the
DDT ban.  It seems to me they mentioned enourmous number of lives (~
100s of milions) had been lost namely in Africa (malaria and mosquitos)
since the ban on use of DDT (early '70s ???) was recommended and
implemented... 

I hope someone could comment in this group, please.  

Each response is appreciated in advance.

Regards.

Miroslav Lieskovský
Health Physicist
NB POWER - PLGS - HP Dep't
PO BOX 10, Lepreau, NB, Canada, E0G 2H0
tel. (506) 659 7421, fax. (506) 659 6507
mlieskovsky@nbpower.com





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Alvarez [mailto:jalvarez@auxier.com]
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 1999 5:14 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: RE: Another RE: Relative Toxicity Pu Vs DDT
> 
> 
> You have touched on something interesting.  Yes.  DDT ban is 
> associated 
> with softening of egg shells and the consequent gross 
> reduction in the 
> number of raptors.  Peregrine falcons are the best known for 
> their DDT 
> induced decline.  Despite the oft repeated egg shell problem, 
> it has not 
> been convincingly demonstrated.  The experiment that is 
> usually cited was 
> not reproducible by the investigator.  As an amateur raptor 
> biologist I 
> have pointed out this discrepancy to professional friends 
> after they note 
> with dismay the very high level of DDT decay products found 
> in successfully 
> nesting peregrines.  My observation is rarely appreciated.
> 
> Joe Alvarez
> Auxier & Associates, Inc
> 10317 Technology Dr, Suite 1
> Knoxville, TN 37932
> Email: jalvarez@auxier.com
> Tel: 423-675-3669
> FAX: 423-675-3677
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	VERNIG.PETER@FORUM.VA.GOV [SMTP:VERNIG.PETER@FORUM.VA.GOV]
> Sent:	Thursday, January 28, 1999 3:45 PM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Another RE: Relative Toxicity Pu Vs DDT
> 
> When I was a student at San Jose State University I recall a professor
> who periodically would eat DDT.  As I recall the reason DDT was banned
> was not high toxicity to humans but a problem with chronic 
> ingestion for
> endangered birds of prey.  Softened the egg shells and led to 
> more risk
> of not hatching.  Birds only produced one or two eggs a 
> season and survival
> rate to adulthood was not high anyway.
> 
> It would be interesting if both parties to the bet walked 
> away from the
> table.  I beleive the Prof ate more than a gram.  PLEASE 
> UNDERSTAND I AM
> NOT RECOMMENDING ANYONE TAKE THAT BET.  I certainly would do 
> some research
> befor I would consider even consider it.  But if the report 
> is true, it
> shows how we HPs can be prey to the same ignorance we decry 
> in the uninform
> ed public in fields outside of HP.
> 
> These are absolutely my opinions only and not those of my 
> employer or any-
> body else!
> 
> Peter G. Vernig
> 
> PS To reply PRIVATELY initiate a new message to 
> vernig.peter@forum.va.gov
> No flames please!
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