(1)    No person shall distribute, sell, offer for sale or use the chemical compound DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) or any of its isomers except as provided in this section. In sub. (2) “DDT” includes compounds isomeric with DDT.

   (2)   

      (a)    In the event of the outbreak of an epidemic disease of humans or animals spread by insects which it is known can be controlled by DDT but cannot be adequately controlled by any other known pesticide, the department may authorize the use of DDT in controlling the epidemic upon a finding that:

         1.    A serious epidemic disease of humans or animals exists;

         2.    The disease is likely to spread rapidly unless insects which spread the disease are controlled; and

         3.    The only effective means of control is DDT.

      (b)    In the event of the outbreak of a plant disease of epidemic proportions which threatens a significant portion of the affected crop and which is caused or spread by an insect which it is known can be controlled by DDT but cannot be adequately controlled by any other known pesticide, the department may authorize the use of DDT in controlling the epidemic upon a finding that:

         1.    An epidemic plant disease exists;

         2.    The disease threatens a significant portion of the affected crop; and

         3.    The only effective means of control is DDT.

      (c)    The department also may authorize the use of DDT or its isomers or metabolites for specified research by educational institutions if it finds that no ecologically significant residues of DDT or its isomers or metabolites will be allowed to escape into the environment.