If you were an organic farmer you might be a tad pissed if the government came along and sprayed your crop with pesticide without your consent, essentially spoiling it. But that's what happened near Sacramento north of the American River between July 30 and August 1, as the local mosquito control district did aerial spraying to "control" mosquitoes that might be carrying West Nile virus. They aprayed 86 square miles (55,000 acres), home to 375,000 people:
Lab tests by Environmental Micro Analysis, an independent lab in Woodland, showed crops from at least one farm in Citrus Heights were covered with the pesticide."The district's spray-everything attitude put my business and health at risk," organic farmer Steven Zien said in a statement.
[snip]
The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District would not comment because it had not seen the lab results or received a formal claim, spokeswoman Lanaya Black said.
Health officials have said the chemicals dropped in this summer's spraying were not harmful to humans or animals at the low concentrations that were used. (MSN.com)
Of course they say it's not harmful to people or animals. Would you expect them to say anything else? They say the same thing about the pesticide residues left on crops from the big agribusiness producers. Maybe it's right and maybe it isn't, but there is enough uncertainty and consumer preference that organic produce is a thriving business.
So if you are going to do something like this, you had better be pretty sure you are doing some good and not just practicing "public health theater." Unfortunately the proponents of aerial spraying to kill adult mosquitoes to interrupt the transmission of West Nile Virus don't have the data to show it is effective. Mosquitoes breed extremely quickly and the dynamics of population fluctuation of infected and uninfected mosquitoes and their predators has not been worked out, much less evidence adduced there is a meaningful effect on disease transmission.
If I thought it worked I would be a reluctant proponent. I have quite a bit of respect for this virus and the disease it produces. It is true that 80% - 90% of those infected are asymptomatic and of the 10% - 20% that get symptoms, only about 1% get seriously ill. But the ones that do get sick get really sick, so this is a disease to be reckoned with. It is becoming endemic in the US after less than a decade and is a good reason to do serious mosquito control via larvaciding in the spring and good habitat control in the summer. Everyone can participate by eliminating visible puddles of standing water, and some communities have been successful putting high school kids to work in the summer on "puddle patrols."
Maybe it will also turn out that aerial spraying is effective, although I doubt it. Show me. Until then, bug off.
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Well, at least the city isn't likely to sue the organic farmer, as Monsanto did to one organic farmer whose crops their GM crop contaminated.
I wouldn't be surprised if Zien sues, though. Harmless levels or not, they have destroyed his crops' organic status.
I assume "the chemicals dropped in this summer's spraying were not harmful to humans or animals at the low concentrations that were used" isn't to be taken literally
And another story for your too-ludicrous-for-words file:
Newport, NH; two EEE deaths last summer; one sick resident so far this summer. Did street spraying last night for four hours on all residential streets. Even though the spray is "harmless to humans," everyone was told to stay inside, close their windows, and not come out for at least a half hour after the spraying (which was covering all their lawns, flower, and vegetable gardens) was done.
One mom was quoted as saying, "I think it's a really great idea. I don't like to spray deet on my children, so I think it's a really great idea."
She doesn't like to spray deet on her kids, but she doesn't mind god knows what seeping into her local water supply. :(
I wonder if spraying for the saber toothed flying cricket is what is whacking the bee populations?
Nah Randy, when we were kids in Covina, California we got sprayed for skeeters all the time. Had plenty of bees around too. I am not sure what they used, but we used to follow the damned trucks and play in the spray.
Even places that do not spray have colony collapse disorder.
I cannot believe how stupid people were back then, I don't think they've learned much. I wonder what government official got the kick back from the chemical company they purchased the spray from....
"Puddle patrols"? Please explain how that would be of any benefit to corporate interests.
Exotic apple moths, mosquito-borne diseases, beetles, flies, and "rock snot," et al: all brought to you by the miracle of globalization. In corp's-world, it's all good: they make money bringing in the exotic pests, and they make money when we try to eradicate said pests, and they make money when cars have to be repainted, and they make money when people are sickened, and they make money when organic crops are destroyed. Ain't it grand?