Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. She worked as a marine biologist with the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. Her book, Silent Spring , was published in 1962 and is heralded as a classic. Fundamental Concepts Outlined in Silent Spring Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, particularly DDT, were directly responsible for tremendous environmental damage. Several species of birds were driven to near extinction before the full impact was realized.
Pesticides persist in the environment, imparting the useful quality of long term pest control.
The environmental damage caused by a pesticide must be measured in the totality of life forms it affects, ie. Long term exposure to pesticides may result in the gradual accumulation of a lethal dose. Carson cites noted failures to control gypsy moth, fire ants, and elm bark beetle as notable examples. Pesticides may not remain in the area where they are applied. Pesticides applied by air may drift, and those applied to the ground may be washed into streams and lakes.