DDT and the Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation
- Date Range
- 1945 – 1972
- Title
- DDT and the Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation
- What occurred
- The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing company was founded in 1850 by five Philadelphia Quakers. In the 1950s the company changed its name to Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation and began manufacturing a plethora of chemicals for industrial, agricultural, and household use. During the 50s Pennsalt was one of the largest producers of DDT. During World War Two, DDT had been found to be effective at limiting the spread of malaria and typhus to civilians and military troops. After the war, DDT was made available to farmers for use as an agricultural insecticide, being produced by companies like Pennsalt. These companies would go on to advertise DDT as a safe and effective insecticide for residential and household use in the elimination of mosquitos, ants, and other pests. The chemical was quickly found to be harmful to both humans and the environment, however, the movement to ban it would take over 25 years with its use finally being regulated in 1972 by the EPA. Despite the awareness of the chemical's many harms, Pennsalt continued advertising their product until production was banned.
- Location
- 1000 Widener Building, Philadelphia, PA
- Image Citation
- Vintage Adventures, "1948 Pennsalt Ad 'the greatest animal MENACE'", https://www.vintage-adventures.com/vintage-household-products-ads/975-1948-pennsalt-ad-the-greatest-animal-menace.html
- Student name(s)
- Mitchell Stechmann