Malathion Risk Assessment Paper

Malathion Risk Assessment In 2006, 177 fatalities were reported in the United States due to the West Nile Virus (Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2007). While in recent years this virus has plagued our beautiful city of Genericville, it is projected that this year it will be worse with a possibility of 50 cases of sickness and two deaths. During the last city council meeting, it was proposed to begin using the insecticide spray Malathion. Before I could vote on the use of this product in our city, I needed more information. After reviewing the information provided and finding more on my own, I have made the decision to vote against using Malathion in Genericville. It is said that Malathion could decrease the projected number of…show more content…
I believe that we do need something to help control the mosquito population but the spraying of a toxin is not what we need. I believe that Genericville needs to setup an educational program about the mosquitoes to help those who may not be able to afford the things needed to reduce exposure. I also believe that there are possible remedies that do not use a toxin to help with this problem and that we should appoint a committee to find other safer options to the Malathion. There are too many unknown risks involved in using Malathion, as a pesticide and I believe those risks are too high to attempt to use this product.
 

References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2005). Toxicologic information about insecticides used for eradicating mosquitoes. Malathion (CAS Number 121-75-5). Retrieved February 20, 2009, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/consultations/west_nile_virus/ Malathion.html
Axia College. (n.d.). Appendix B. Retrieved February 16, 2009, from Axia College, Week Two, SCI275 - Environmental Science.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). 2006 West Nile Virus activity in the United States. West Nile Virus Statistics, Surveillance, and Control. Retrieved February 20, 2009, from