Pesticide Action Network and our partner groups around the world are calling for a redoubling of efforts to control malaria, a deadly disease that devastates communities worldwide, hitting especially hard in Africa. Malaria must be confronted with the best available technologies and solutions. Spraying of DDT inside homes is not such a solution: it puts children’s health at risk, and relying on DDT is not the best way to stop malaria.
In April and May 2007, two events highlighted these concerns:
Africa Malaria Day Briefing, April 24, Washington, D.C.
Exposure
to DDT is especially dangerous for developing infants and children.
Sound scientific evidence shows low levels of exposure in the womb can
reduce babies’ birth weight, cause developmental delays in children,
interfere with a mother’s ability to breast feed, increase risk of
miscarriage, and cause reproductive problems. DDT has been linked to
low sperm count in men and labeled a possible cancer causing chemical
by international agencies. Some studies show a link to breast cancer.
DDT contamination begins from the moment of its production. Residents
of Eloor, India are protesting the contamination of their homes,
environment and drinking water by a dirty DDT production facility.
Safer Malaria Control Successful community-based programs all over the world are using bed nets, improved sanitation, community education, and tracking and early treatment to address malaria without relying on DDT. For examples, see reports from Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam. These and much more information is available on our DDT/Malaria resource page.
Africa Malaria Day Briefing April 24, Washington D.C.
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Audioport Notice / Overview
Celebrating global attention and support to end malaria
Promoting sustainable malaria solutions
The Honorable John Conyers arranged an Africa Malaria Day Briefing & Reception, April 24th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. The program started at 3:30 in room 2257 of the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill.
Special guests available for media interviews and expert comments at the reception: Dr. Paul Saoke, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Kenya (live by phone); Rev. Lois Dejean, Gert Town Revival Initiative, Louisiana; Monique Harden and Nathalie Walker, Advocates for Environmental Human Rights; Shawna Larson, Indigenous Environmental Network/Alaska Community Action on Toxics; Dr. Tyrone Hayes, University of California, Berkeley; Michele Roberts, environmental justice policy expert; Kristin Schafer, Pesticide Action Network North America
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Malaria-DDT panel at Stockholm Convention COP III
May 1, Dakar, Senegal
International POPs Elimination Network and Pesticide Action Network side event: Focusing on health and fighting malaria without DDT: Supporting safe and sustainable strategies. Tuesday 1 May 2007, 1:00pm-2:30pm, Le Méridien President Hotel, Dakar.
Chair: Mme Fatima Dia Touré, Directeur de l'Environnement et des Etablissements Classés du Sénégal.
Panelists include: Dr Jorge Mendez, previously director of the Mexican Malaria Control Programme; Dr Paul Saoke, Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Kenya; Crispin Kalumiana Kaposhi, ecotoxicologist, Zambia; Mr Purushan Eloor, a representative of the community living in the shadow of a DDT production plant in India.
A press conference will immediately follow the side event.
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