PESTICIDES AND MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT IN MARYLAND

What Can I Do?

"Dear Neighbor" Sample Letter
and Packet

What You Can Do to Reduce Exposure to Mosquitoes

The Maryland Pesticide Network supports using non-toxic means as a first line of defense against mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed. No standing water means no mosquitoes.

In the event of evidence of mosquito-borne disease, we support a least toxic approach to pest control. In light of our support of the public's right-to-know, we have gathered information on pesticides used in Maryland for mosquito control and their potential adverse health effects from various sources including, US EPA, EXTONET (a pesticide information project of the Cooperative Extension offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, the University of California at Davis and Michigan State University), Consumer Policy Institute Of Consumers Union, Beyond Pesticides/National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides and the National Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. Additional resources,: texts/journals/presentations have been footnoted. MD Dept. of Agriculture Mosquito Control Policy

Pesticides Used for Mosquito Control in Maryland

Larvicides - used to kill mosquito larvae:
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Bt is a naturally occurring soil bacterium. While EPA considers Bt to be among the safer pesticides and finds the toxicological database essentially complete, the Agency is still requiring additional data on ecological effects. Bt is completely biodegradable. We do support an expanded use of this larvicide to effectively reduce mosquito populations with the least risk to human health. However, Bt formulations can contain anywhere from 0-99+% 'inert' ingredients (see more on inerts below).

Methoprene: Methoprene is an insect growth regulator, which mimics an insect growth regulation hormone. It is slightly toxic to birds and slightly too moderately toxic to fish. In 1997, scientists reported a possible link between methoprene and deformed frogs found in Minnesota and 11 other states. There is a growing concern about the effects of methoprene on shellfish such as lobsters. Shellfish and insects rely on similar hormonal clues for molting and methoprene can kill both of these types of animals.

Adulticides - used to eliminate adult mosquitoes:
The two pesticides used by the state of Maryland ] to combat West Nile are the synthetic pyrethroids, ANVIL 10 +10 (Sumethrin) and BIOMIST (Permethrin). These two pesticides are mixed with Piperonyl Butoxide, a synergist that enhances the killing power of the active ingredients.

Pesticides used in MD for Mosquito Control
Risks Linked to Pyrethroids

Pesticide Injury

If you suspect you may be suffering from exposure to the pesticides used to reduce mosquito populations, we suggest you go to your nearest emergency room or contact your physician, and that you ask the health care provider to report the case to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Office of Environmental Health website at www.cha.state.md.us/oeh/ht,l/pesticide.html.
Health care provider reporting of suspected pesticide injury is mandatory [under Maryland law?]!

A FEW WORDS ABOUT INERTS

Inert ingredients are chemicals used in pesticide products to make the pesticide more potent or easier to use. Despite their misleading name, inerts are neither chemically, biologically, or toxicologically inert. Often the greatest percentage of chemicals in a pesticide product is inert ingredients - chemicals claimed as trade secrets by manufacturers. Many inerts are hazardous. Of the almost 2,600 chemicals that EPA believes are currently used as inert ingredients, more than 600 have already been classified as hazardous by state, federal and international agencies. Examples of hazardous and commonly used inerts include crystalline silica (causes cancer and genetic damage), naphthalene (causes anemia and liver damage) and xylene (cause headaches, confusion and fetal death).

Footnotes

1. Testimony of Lynn Goldman, M.D. , pediatrician and former assistant Administrator of EPA's Pesticides, Prevention and Toxic Substances division, before a MD Senate committee, 2000.
2. U.S. EPA. Office of Pesticide Programs, Health Effects Division. 1997. Tox oneliners: Permethrin. Washington, DC, June 24.
3. Spencer, F. and Z. Berhane. 1982. Uterine and fetal characteristics in rats following a post-implantational exposure to permethrin. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 29: 84-88.
4. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine, 2000, V.1; Life Science, 1994, V.54(18); Toxicology, Nov. 22, 1992, V.76(10); Journal of Environmental Science Health, 981, V16(5PTB); Journal of Applied Toxicology, Nov-Dec 1996, V.16(6); The testimony of Richard Bernstein, M.D., pulmonary specialist before a MD Senate committee, 2000.

POSSIBLE ACUTE SYMPTOMS OF PESTICIDE POISONING

ANVIL (Sumethrin) and BIOMIST (Permethrin) :

• Effects on the nervous system such as itching, numbing, burning or tingling
• Respiratory problems (synthetic pyrethroids are known to exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as asthma)
• Hyper excitability
• Irritation of the eyes
• Salivation
• Tremor
• Abnormal facial sensation
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Irritability to sound and touch

In more severe cases-

• pulmonary edema
• muscle fasciculations PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Intestinal inflammation
• Mild nervous system depression
• Skin irritation

POSSIBLE LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE

ANVIL (Sumethrin) and BIOMIST (Permethrin), synthetic pyrethroids, are considered possible endocrine disruptors by the U.S. EPA. The EPA plans to complete a safety review of synthetic pyrethroids in 2002 to evaluate this class of pesticides for its effects on children and the endocrine system.

Permethrin, is also classified as a possible carcinogen by the U.S. EPA.

Anvil and Permanone are mixed with the synergist Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO). PBO is also classified as a possible carcinogen by EPA.

Links for More Information