Stockholm Convention continues to allow DDT use for disease vector control
DDT experts met in Geneva 3-5 December 2012.
Conference of the Parties at its fifth meeting concluded there is continuous need to use DDT for some countries and decided to evaluate existence of "locally appropriate cost-effective and safe alternatives".
The fourth meeting of the DDT Expert Group reviewed as part of the ongoing assessment:
- Insecticide resistance (DDT and alternatives)
- New alternative products, including the work of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee
- Transition from DDT in disease vector control
- Decision support tool for vector control
The expert group recognized that there is a continued need for DDT in specific settings for disease vector control where effective or safer alternatives are still lacking. It recommended that the use of DDT in Indoor Residual Spray should be limited only to the most appropriate situations based on operational feasibility, epidemiological impact of disease transmission, entomological data and insecticide resistance management. It also recommended that countries should undertake further research and implementation of non-chemical methods and strategies for disease vector control to supplement reduced reliance on DDT.
More details are available at websites of the Stockholm Convention and the DDT expert group.
14.12.2012
