Dear Editor,
I am becoming increasingly concerned with the seemingly callous way in which the authorities are fogging neighbourhoods in Georgetown. I was awakened at 00:30 hours on Thursday night with a strong unpleasant smell and a burning in my nose and throat. I then concluded that fogging was taking place somewhere nearby, even though we were not informed of any such activity for our street.
If the authorities find it necessary to fog, they must inform all residents likely to be affected (including those downwind) and not just those in the direct neighbourhood. Had I known this my husband and I would have taken our baby and slept somewhere else for the night. I really felt as if I was being gassed in my own home.
As far as I am concerned, the effects of constant fogging are more dangerous than Dengue Fever, (which one usually recovers from after a while, which I presume is the main reason for this recent spate of frantic fogging of our homes and neighbourhoods.
I was told that the chemical being used was Malathion.
This is actually a neurotoxin that was derived from organophosphate nerve gas used in WWII, and is said to be extremely toxic and can damage the nervous and immune systems of humans that are exposed to it. It is also carcinogenic and can cause a variety of other illnesses including vision, lung and kidney damage.
It has been shown to cause DNA abnormalities, and has been linked to child leukemia, aplastic anemia and adult leukopenia. Acute (short term) effects of malathion include headaches, nausea, dizziness, salivation, tearing, urination, diarrhea, convulsions, muscle weakness, incoordination, abdominal cramps, blurred vision, pupil constriction, abnormal eye movement, slowed heart beat, depressed respiratory system, skeletal muscle damage, paralysis and coma.
Malathion can also have a significant effect on intestinal health. One study showed that pregnant women who had been exposed to aerial spraying of malathion during their second trimester gave birth to children with 2.5 times more gastrointestinal disorders.
Lab studies on rats have shown that a single exposure can severely impair the healthy functioning of the intestine. See http ://banmalathion.org/fact_sheet.html. Many other effects may occur but are not necessarily documented.
Anti-pesticide activists said the American EPA since 1984 has had relatively strong evidence of Malathion’s carcinogenicity in animals and of other health problems in humans.
Another reason not to use too much Malathion is that mosquitoes will eventually build up a resistance to it, this insecticide, by the way, also kills beneficial insects such as honeybees, and natural predators of mosquitoes such as dragon flies.
It is also important to note that Malathion eventually breaks down into an even more dangerous chemical called Malaoxon, which is approximately 40 times more toxic than Malathion and has a half-life of three to seven days.
For this reason, if Malathion is used in or somehow enters an indoor environment, as it breaks down into malaoxon, it can seriously and chronically poison the occupants living or working in this environment.
Malathion present in untreated water is converted to malaoxon during the chlorination phase of water treatment, so malathion should not be used near waters that may be used as a source for drinking water, or any upstream waters.
So residents who depend on rainwater for drinking are particularly at risk, especially if they add bleach to the water afterwards (which I know a lot of people do).
Also I do not agree with the advice to open windows and doors to this toxic gas, as mentioned before this increases human risk. In other countries, people are advised to close windows and doors and to take indoors all children’s toys and laundry, to cover outdoor furniture and play equipment.
I therefore suggest an Environmental Impact Assessment be done if the authorities plan regular fogging, and for one week’s written notice to all affected residents of their intention, giving people, especially pregnant women and young children, a choice to make arrangements to leave the area or remain to be gassed.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)
