Environmental Influence Of Silent Spring: Rachel Carson's Environmental Movement

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, better known as DDT is a notorious organochlorine pesticide that is created by the reaction of chloral with chlorobenzene in combination with sulfuric acid(Britannica p.1). It was first used as an insecticide in 1939 by Hermann Muller in Switzerland. DDT works as an insecticideby acting on the nervous system to generate the same neural impulse over and over causing body tremors and eventually death. DDT is an extremely stable chemical compound containing C14H9Cl5 which leads to some significant resistance issues when used as a pesticide. The most problematic property of DDT is its high fat solubility and extremely low water solubility meaning that it has a tendency to stick around in the environment for longer than we want since it is readily taken up in the bodies of nearby mammals.

When Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was published in 1962, it generated a storm of controversy over the use of chemical pesticides. Miss Carson's intent in writing Silent Spring was to warn the public of the dangers associated with pesticide use. Throughout her book are numerous case studies documenting the harmful effects that chemical pesticides have had on the environment. Along with these facts, she explains how in many instances the pesticides have done more harm than good in eradicating the pests they were designed to destroy. In addition to her reports on pesticide use, Miss Carson points out that many of the long-term effects that

The following involves the second chapter of Carson’s book, Silent Spring that was written in 1962. In this chapter Carson argues persuasively the adverse impacts of pesticides upon the environment and the risks on human health and the environment associated with these “genetic invaders” (Carson, 1962). Many of the extremely diverse people from Carson’s audience targeted were under the impression that chemicals like DDT, at that time in history, were safe for their health. Carson reconciles and attempts to persuade the public to consider the idea that DDT, which in the 1950s and 60s was one of the many chemical pesticides being manufactured and sold to

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has had a huge impact on the fight against malaria, helping to ensure the control or eradication of malaria in many countries around the world in the mid-twentieth century. However, since its peak in the 1960s, succeeded by environmental and health concerns about the usage of the insecticide, more and more countries have been banning the use of DDT.

DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons are very fat soluble so when these chemicals are sprayed on plants and these plants get eaten by animal the chlorinated hydrocarbon gets in the animal's fat. Then that animal get eaten by another animal and now that has the chlorinated

Carson’s other books, Under the Sea Wind, The Sea Around Us (which stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for 86 weeks), and The Edge of The Sea all focus on nature’s strength and the inter-connectedness of nature and all living things. But DDT exposed the vulnerability of nature and I think this influenced the writing of Silent Spring. DDT was the most powerful pesticide in the world at the time of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Unlike most pesticides, whose effectiveness is limited to destroying one or two types of insects, DDT was capable of killing hundreds of different kinds at once. Developed in 1939, it first distinguished itself during World War II, clearing South Pacific islands of malaria-causing insects for U.S. troops, while in Europe being used as an effective de-lousing powder. Its inventor was awarded the Nobel Prize.

In an era where innovations have advanced and have become a greater part in our society, many Americans were negligent to the consequences of them. These innovations were presented to improve the lives of Americans as a whole. A prime example of these enriching innovations is pesticides, more specifically DDT. Although pesticides help crop output, there were numerous dangers that came with the utilization of them and many people were unaware them. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, wrote Silent Spring to critique the use of pesticides.

DDT is a colorless, crystalline, tasteless and almost odorless organochlorine known for its insecticidal properties and environmental impacts. PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of manufactured organic

In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia; they had an outstanding number of budworms eating always the trees of all ages in their great forests that are near the Miramichi River river. For having such an insect problem, the perfect chemical for this solution would be DDT from aircrafts. The pilots covered more than 11 million acres in DDT, well over ten million dollars. The pilots were very careless while spraying the forests, leaving the nozzle on while flying over the Miramichi

This eventually led to the ban of the chemical DDT, which was supposed to “kill insects”. Because it was colorless and tasteless, many animals and plants ingested this

In conclusion, DDT is a harmful chemical to all organisms around the world. DDT has caused disasters to humans, plants, birds, and ocean life. Thankfully, the U.S. has banned the use of DDT and has no longer put humans at risk. This chemical has done plenty of damage to our world during its time of use.

This book was focused on the concern of pesticides that industries, along with us as individuals, have been dumping (both knowingly and unknowingly) into water. Carson was concerned that the chemicals which the farmers spread on their fields, and even the chemicals we use in our homes (among others), in the end, might come back around and harm us. The beginning of the book tells a story of a place, that was once so beautiful, turned dead and ugly due to a “strange blight that crept over the area” and destroyed everything. Later in the book, she goes on to explain that chemicals, particularly one known as DDT, are the major cause of environmental damage and the near extinction of

The mosquito is a murderous insect which cause many diseases especially malaria. Malaria is a debilitating disease didn’t which is prevalent in underdeveloped countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It claims millions of lives worldwide and affect children under the age of 5 more than any other group. Over the years, scientists have discovered and development several solutions to this problem. One of those solution is DDT short for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, this substance is an insecticide use to kill pest such as mosquitoes. Scientists figure that the pesticide should prevent dangerous mosquitoes from infecting human with diseases. Many people believe that this pesticide is the best solution to reducing malaria. They back up their claims by using research results with conducted that DDT save many lives globally. They are outrage at the fact that DDT is ban in many countries. DDT advocate clearly do not see any problem with the use of DDT despite its many negative side effect associated with it. DDT, like many pesticide is known to negatively impact human health and the environment. There are many reasons why governmental around the global have decide to protect their people and environment by banding the pesticide. DDT should not be used by anyone because it causes more harm and good, it is unethical, and there are safer alternative available.

DDT, also known as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. It is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and see through. DDT is an organochlorine that was created in 1874. DDT was commonly used in the second World War to control various diseases. DDT was used because it was cheap, reliable and lasted for an extended period of time in the environment.The effects of DDT. There are many effects related to DDT, though some benefits over rule these effects, they can not be ignored since they have a major effect on our eco-system. DDT is a very persistent chemical, it gets into and stays inside the fats of living organisms. Though it does not kill by disturbing the cells of an organism, they do open up the cell’s membrane so it can enter. Most of the time DDT opens up the membrane too much therefore leaving the cell to leak and allow the entrance of other harmful things such as sodium ions and potassium ions.

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT, is an insecticide that acts as soon as extensively used on agricultural vegetation to tackle bugs