Pesticide
Introductions
and Poliomyelitis
By itself, the following does not prove much, however, it significantly adds to the preponderence of circumstantial evidence against pesticides. As can be seen here, the first unprecedented flurry of pesticide and herbicide introductions (1878-1886) was followed immediately by the first polio epidemic (1887):
Source for pesticide data: Hayes and Laws, op cit.
1852 is shown here to be the beginning of pesticide development in western civilization. According to Zimmerman (DDT, Killer of Killers) 1868 was the beginning. 1868 also is the date when New York City began systematically recording all diseases and causes of death, according to its health commissioner, Haven Emerson, in his epidemiological tables.
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