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Because of the widespread fear, bordering on panic, that has accompanied
the continued appearance of the West Nile Virus, massive pesticide
spraying campaigns are underway in many areas on the Northeastern
US, including New York City and Boston.
The insecticides being used in New York are sumithrin (Anvil) and
resmethrin (Scourge), both synthetic pyrethroids. In Boston, only
resmethrin is being used. The use of both pesticides are coming
under considerable criticism, as potentially toxic chemicals that
pose a danger to humans, wildlife and the environment.
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The Pyrethroids may interfere with the immune and endocrine
systems.
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Other adverse chronic effects, including effects on the liver
and thyroid, have been reported in toxicology testing.
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According to toxicologists, animal tests showed that chronic
exposure to resmethrin could increase thyroid weight and cause
thyroid cysts.
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In animal studies, it was found that in addition to a variety
of other health effects, exposure to pyrethroids can suppress
both the thyroid's T4 and T3 levels, and raise Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH) levels.
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According to researchers writing in the Journal of Applied
Toxicology, "immense care is warranted in the use of insecticides,
because they not only affect the liver, kidney and other organs
but also may alter the activity of the endocrine glands."
(J
Appl Toxicol 1996 Sep-Oct;16(5):397-400)
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Other researchers have found that pyrethroids are environmental
estrogens, and may contribute to reproductive dysfunction, developmental
impairment, and cancer" (Abstract).
- Another study found that some pyrethroids have the potential
to promote breast cell proliferation, an action that can increase
cancer risk (Abstract).
Jay Feldman, is executive director of the National
Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, a Washington, D.C.-based
environmental organization.
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According to him, "The city has overstepped the boundaries
of safety and law in the handling of its mosquito prevention
and management program, exposing the public to hazardous pesticides."
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The group has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York
over the spraying, citing violations of federal and state environmental
statutes.
William Cooke, a spokesman for the National
Audubon Society in New York, commenting on the spraying to the
New York Times, saying: "There's a grossly inadequate effort
to track the collateral impact on the environment and on humans."
Potentially toxic spraying such what is taking place in New York
City and Boston may become a concern in other areas of the country
soon, as experts believe that the West Nile virus is on the move.
"The virus is probably in every corner of North America by
now," as well as parts of South America, says John Rappole
from the Smithsonian Institution's zoo, in the July issue of Emerging
Infectious Diseases magazine.
For More Information Contact:
New York Public
Interest Research Group / New York Coalition for Alternatives
to Pesticides -- Statement Regarding Emergency Pesticide Spraying
for Mosquito Control
National Coalition
Against the Misuse of Pesticides
This information taken from an
article by Mary Shomon on About.com's
Thyroid page.
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