Tuesday, July 23, 2002
Saving Us From The West Nile Virus
A Canadian neighbourhood agressively blockaded their streets last weekend!
On one side, a bureaucratic initiative to save us from the West Nile Virus, Genus: Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex And on the other, neighbours scared of the unknown risks of fogging the air with Malathion (Dimethoxy Phosphino Thioyl Thio Butanedioic Acid Diethyl Ester (C10 H19 O6 P S2)).
This, Alloway Rebellion, by residential Wolseley, Winnipeg, does have a history. Since 1999 the area has avoided being spraying by cleverly using provincial legislation to ban pesticide use around their homes.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control describing the West Nile Virus in humans, says that "...the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, can become very ill."
The Stop-Malathion citizens also suggest that the same group, "children, pets, elderly people, and people with breathing difficulties and weakened immune systems" are those most affected by pesticide spraying.
In general, I find the use of pesticides unfriendly. Personal responsibility for limiting mosquito breeding opportunities by eliminating stagnant water, and sensible precautions to avoid being bitten, are probably more economical and effective solutions than adding poison to our environment.
On one side, a bureaucratic initiative to save us from the West Nile Virus, Genus: Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex And on the other, neighbours scared of the unknown risks of fogging the air with Malathion (Dimethoxy Phosphino Thioyl Thio Butanedioic Acid Diethyl Ester (C10 H19 O6 P S2)).
This, Alloway Rebellion, by residential Wolseley, Winnipeg, does have a history. Since 1999 the area has avoided being spraying by cleverly using provincial legislation to ban pesticide use around their homes.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control describing the West Nile Virus in humans, says that "...the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, can become very ill."
The Stop-Malathion citizens also suggest that the same group, "children, pets, elderly people, and people with breathing difficulties and weakened immune systems" are those most affected by pesticide spraying.
In general, I find the use of pesticides unfriendly. Personal responsibility for limiting mosquito breeding opportunities by eliminating stagnant water, and sensible precautions to avoid being bitten, are probably more economical and effective solutions than adding poison to our environment.
