A Main Character

History

The use of synthetic pesticides in the US began in the 1930s and became widespread after World War II. By 1950, pesticide was found to increase farm yield far beyond pre World War II levels. In 1997 the US purchases nearly 1-3rd of the world market. Annual pesticide expenditure totaled approximately $11.9 billion. Two-thirds of pesticide purchased is used in agriculture. The synthetic pesticide DDT was widely used in urban aerial sprays to control urban mosquito, gypsy moth, Japanese beetle and other insects in the 1940’s. By 1972, DDT was banned from the United States due to widespread development of resistance to DDT and evidence that DDT use was increasing preterm births and also harming the environment. Rachel Carson was one of the first to bring awareness to the harmfulness that pesticides have on the environment and people.