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, FAO  Final 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 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”

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

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

InsecticideCost (US$) per house per 6 mo Cost ratio (DDT=1) DDT1.601 Malathion Deltamethrin Permethrin Fentrothion Propoxur Cost Comparison of Insecticides Reference: K. Walker, Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2000) 14,

WHO Insecticides Suitable for Indoor Spraying Organochlorines DDT Organophosphates Chlorpyrifos-methyl Fenitrothion Malathion Primiphos-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