Genericville Pesticide Case Study

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Reviewing all the data, both for and against Malathion pesticide it is clear to me why some of my constituents are voting for the use of the pesticide, while others are set against such a hazardous chemical being used in and around Genericville. Being a member of the city counsel and the last deciding vote, I have taken time to carefully consider both sides of this serious issue. While Malathion is known to work in aiding reduction in the spreading of the West Niles Virus (WNV) transmitted by mosquitoes, the proposed risk to the environment and the town people both long term and short term are too costly. With the use of this pesticide there are many unknown risk, thus contributing to my final decision to vote against Malathion use in Genericville.…show more content…
While this reduction in mosquitoes is a positive, the negative would be greater. An estimated 90 illnesses will occur with four being fatal do to the use of Malathion. Trees, birds and fish will be harmed if not die off completely, and this will disrupt the natural ecosystem that still lives in this area. Not only will the ecosystem be harmed but the economy will suffer due to the reduction in tourism. Economic long term effects are still unknown about this pesticide; therefore to use this pesticide could cause irreparable damage to the environment. Not knowing all there is to know about the long term exposure of Malathion, I can not willfully allow the environment and citizens to suffer. Taking into consideration the population that lives near and around the river and the emissions that would be released from the pesticide was a large factor in making my…show more content…
No matter how many flyers would be sent out to residences, nor how many commercials announced that pesticide would be sprayed on a particular day there are still citizens that would have been uninformed to what was taking place. The poor citizens that do have television and the uneducated citizens that would not understand what they were reading and the harmful effects that the pesticide would have on them would be the ones typically to be outdoors when the spraying is taking place. The agricultural workers in the fields would be sprayed or would handle fruit or vegetables with the residue from the pesticide and get very ill. Killing the mosquitoes is a short term fix, when in all actuality the city needs to take the money donated and educate the citizens and tourist on how to avoid contracting the West Niles Virus. Educating people how to take care of themselves is a long term solution that will not cause irreparable damage to the
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