Mosquito Control Pesticides, Exposure Study

Human Exposure to Mosquito-Control Pesticides: Mississippi, North
Carolina, and Virginia, 2002 and 2003

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 54 (21): 529-532. June 3, 2005
(Full text: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5421a1.htm)

Summary:
Public health officials weigh the risk for mosquito-borne diseases
against the risk for human exposure to pesticides sprayed to control
mosquitoes (1). Response to outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases has
focused on vector control through habitat reduction and application
of pesticides that kill mosquito larvae. However, in certain
situations, public health officials control adult mosquito
populations by spraying ultra-low volume (ULV) (<3 fluid ounces per
acre [oz/acre]) mosquito-control (MC) pesticides, such as naled,
permethrin, and d-phenothrin. These ULV applications generate
aerosols of fine droplets of pesticides that stay aloft and kill
mosquitoes on contact while minimizing the risk for exposure to
persons, wildlife, and the environment (2). This report summarizes
the results of studies in Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia
that assessed human exposure to ULV naled, permethrin, and
d-phenothrin used in emergency, large-scale MC activities. The
findings indicated ULV application in MC activities did not result in
substantial pesticide exposure to humans; however, public health
interventions should focus on the reduction of home and workplace
exposure to pesticides.

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Received on Mon, 6 Jun 2005 23:12:49 -0400