As summer approaches, operations by the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) will soon resume. Their work in controlling the mosquito population is a public health interest for all of us, but I believe that we question the methods they use.
The SLCMAD uses neurotoxins that target an insect’s nervous system, like pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids. Unfortunately, we’re also surrounded by these chemicals; they’re released into the air we breathe, making it difficult for us to avoid them.
Researchers have shown that some of the insecticides used, like naled, are found in the blood of pregnant women, demonstrating that these chemicals can enter our bodies after environmental exposure. Other studies have linked these chemicals to respiratory illnesses, neurological issues and cancer.
The SLCMAD website mentions just three specific chemicals they use, but it lacks a comprehensive list of every substance used. For a public health matter, the information shouldn’t be opaque. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to understand the scope of our exposure.
We should demand an accessible list of the chemicals used by SLCMAD and testing that shifts us toward control methods that prioritize human health.
Jack Lambert, Salt Lake City
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