Lefty celebs on board with DDT-friendly Malaria No More's Power of One campaign

Brett T. | 12:58 AM on September 24, 2013

It looks as though the decades of damage that can be traced back to Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring” might soon be undone — with the blessings of liberal celebrities to boot.

Celebs were more than happy to jump on board to promote World Malaria Day 2012, perhaps thinking that any money raised would go exclusively toward mosquito netting and, just maybe, mosquito-eating free-range unicorns. Malaria No More’s newly launched Power of One campaign is also getting a lot of love from lefty celebs, who might or might not have read the group’s policy statement on DDT. In short, yeah, they’ll use it to save lives.

Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, better known as DDT, is one of the chemicals used for Internal Residual Spraying. In the 1960s, DDT use was outlawed by most of the world for agricultural use. While the chemical remained legal for malaria control, it became nearly impossible to procure. However, in 2000, the World Heath Organization approved DDT as one of 12 insecticides safe for use in indoor residual spraying and in 2006, the organization began actively supporting DDT for use in malaria control.

While MNM’s focus is on advocacy, awareness raising and strategic investments, we do support a comprehensive set of solutions to combat malaria—including proven interventions like indoor residual spraying. The use of DDT—or any indoor residual spray— is determined by each country’s National Malaria Control Program. Malaria No More supports the leadership of African countries and the World Health Organization, and we welcome smart, proven and safe solutions that help end deaths by this disease.