Caroline Paulsen, Chapter 4, Question 5

One passage that I found interesting in chapter 4 was about the use of DDT. Charles Wheelan points out that, while DDT is a chemical that is harmful to the environment, it is also a relatively cheap way to control malaria-spreading mosquitos. I didn't realize the extent of malaria until I lived in Kenya for half of sixth grade. While we were there, family and I slept under mosquito nets every night and took preventative pills every morning so that we didn't get malaria. Many people living in areas that are affected by malaria can't afford these measures, so while it may seem from an American perspective that DDT is simply a chemical that is detrimental to the environment, for many people it is more useful than it is harmful.