I find it extremely disturbing that those voting in the last election were unable to make an informed decision about the creation of a Mosquito Abatement District (MAD). Most people did not even realize that this issue was on the ballot until they got to the polls. I'm sure that those who voted "yes" did so out of fear about West Nile Virus or encephalitis.
The New York City Health Dept. answers the risk question about WNV this way: "Even in areas where mosquitoes carry WNV, very few mosquitoes, perhaps 1 out of 1000 are infected. Even if you are bitten by an infected mosquito, your chances of getting sick are 1 in 300." By comparison, atypical severe flu season in the U.S. kills 20,000 people.
Pesticides are harmful to human health and the environment. The University of Virginia did a study on the fogging chemical Malathion. According to the Journal of Immunology, vol. 140, p.564, "Malathion contains chemical impurities which have been found to weaken immune system function, including a weakening of a type of white blood cell called "cytotoxic lymphocytes" (which attack cancer cells and virus infected cells). Since it has been shown that people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop encephalitis, paradoxically, it must be considered that Malathion has the potential in itself to increase encephalitis cases as the spraying of it can weaken a person's immune system, thereby making them more vulnerable to the disease."
Many communities have discontined fogging because it poses an unacceptable risk to residents. In those communities, asthma treatment costs have skyrocketed after pesticide spraying, not to mention other health problems. Spraying also leaves people with a false sense of security and less likely to take preventative measures. Prevention of WNV is best achieved by eliminating or reducing mosquito breeding sites, and by avoiding the bite.
A large number of voters in Cache Valley said "NO" to the Mosquito Abatement District, but county officials have already stated that they couldn't make any promises that individual property owners could opt out of abatement efforts. Who are they to take away our rights to protect our family?
If you feel the same way as I do, I urge you to take action now by calling your elected officials. Is there anyone out there who is willing to join me in organizing a petition drive to reverse this MAD decision? PREVENTION OVER POISON! |