New York City is spraying pesticides to control mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, but environmental groups argue that these chemicals could harm human health and the environment.
Diana Kruzman reports for Grist.
In short:
- Mosquito populations are increasing and spreading more diseases due to climate change, leading cities to spray pesticides.
- Critics warn that the chemicals used, including endocrine disruptors, can have harmful effects on human health.
- Alternatives such as larvicides, public education and ecological methods are being suggested by environmental advocates.
Key quote:
“Like other decisions to use toxic chemicals over broad swathes of the population, those decisions have to be made with transparency. And that’s where I think we have failed the public.”
— Jay Feldman, director of Beyond Pesticides
Why this matters:
As climate change fuels the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, balancing public health with environmental safety becomes more critical. The overuse of pesticides may create health risks and lead to pesticide-resistant mosquitoes.
