Alternatives to DDT

Janice Jensen, USEPA

LRTAP POPs Task Force

March 1, 2004

Purpose

Review availability & feasibility of safer and economically viable alternatives to DDT

Coordinate with WHO, UNEP, FAOFinal review due by one year

after EIF

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)

World Health Organization

Action Plan to reduce reliance on DDTComponent of Roll Back MalariaWHO will assist countries to reduce

reliance on DDTConcerned about re-emergence of malaria

in areas considered “eradicated”

Alternative Vector Control Strategies

Factors that contribute to DDT use:Malaria transmission intensityVector biology and ecology Health and vector control servicesAvailable resources Insufficient knowledge baseLack of safe, cost-effective alternatives

Instead of DDT, countries rely on…

• Other residual insecticides• Biological control• Personal protective measures such

as impregnated bed nets • Environmental management

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

Insecticide Cost (US$) per house per 6

mo

Cost ratio(DDT=1)

DDT 1.60 1

Malathion 3.36 2.1

Deltamethrin

5-5.60 3.1

Permethrin 6.00 3.8

Fentrothion 12.00 7.5

Propoxur 37.20 23.3

1990 Cost Comparison of Insecticides

Reference: K. Walker, Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2000) 14, 345-354.

WHO Insecticides Suitable for Indoor Spraying

Organochlorines DDT

Organophosphates

Chlorpyrifos-methylFenitrothionMalathionPrimiphos-methyl

Pyrethroids Alpha-cypermethrin Cyfluthrin Cypermethrin Deltamethrin Etofenprox Lamda-cyhalothrin Permethrin

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