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Nature 443, 250-251 (21 September 2006) | doi:10.1038/443250b; Published online 20 September 2006

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Health agency backs use of DDT against malaria

Apoorva Mandavilli

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Much-maligned pesticide returns to the front line.

After decades of being shunned as an environmentally damaging chemical, the pesticide DDT is once again being touted as the most effective way to fight malaria.The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 15 September that it will support the indoor spraying of pesticides generally, and DDT specifically, to control mosquitoes in countries with high rates of malaria.