US EPA

5193068 

Technical Report 

The importance of chlorinated hydrocarbons in world agriculture 

Snelson, JT 

1977 

1 

17-30 

PESTAB. The rapidly expanding world population requires food production to also increase rapidly. In order to keep agricultural losses to a minimum, the widespread use of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides is suggested. These compounds, numbering more than 1000, are recommended because of their general availability, low cost, ease of use, low toxicity, and the general nature of these compounds. The use of the more specific second generation pesticides is beyond the technological grasp of most developing countries. Aldrin and dieldrin are used in developing countries for controlling soil pests, increasing production acreage, and application to crops such as rice, maize, cotton, and sugar cane. The use of technical BHC, camphechlor (toxaphene), chlordane, DDT, dicofol, endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, and lindane for controlling pests and increasing yields is also examined. The beneficial results of the use of the chlorinated hydrocarbons would greatly outweigh possible detrimental effects.