There are a lot of people of a certain age (like me) who remember the mosquito truck that would navigate through neighborhoods spraying a chemical fog. When we were kids in the ‘50s and ‘60s, whenever the mosquito man came to our neighborhood in Levittown, we would hop on our bikes and follow close behind enveloped in that sweet-smelling fog. Little did I know then that I would encounter it again as an adult.

It was not until much later that the active ingredient of the chemical fog, DDT, became a concern. Pesticides of its kind were featured in Rachael Carson’s book Silent Spring, which some credit as giving rise to the environmental movement of the ‘70s. As effective as DDT was in killing mosquitos, unintended impacts on wildlife, including the bald eagle, raised concerns that ultimately led to a US ban in 1972. For some time thereafter, residuals of the compound would be found in water bodies throughout the world.

My path crossed with DDT again while, as an environmental engineer, I was tasked to assist in the development of strategies and methods to remove DDT residuals from the environment. This work continues to this day. I now understand that the sweet smell of the chemical fog came not from DDT, but the solvent it was blended into. With a little encouragement, I can almost resurrect that scent and see myself pedaling in a white fog along the streets of Levittown.

Kevin Deeny