ALERT! Speak Out Against Pesticide Spraying in Sac 1/12

ALERT! Speak Out Against Pesticide Spraying for West Nile Virus in Sacramento




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ACTION ALERT

Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR)

Speak Out Against Pesticide Spraying for West Nile Virus in Sacramento

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SUMMARY

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, their board and representatives of city leaders have agreed to meet with community members and give the public an opportunity to discuss the mosquito control plan. This important meeting is being held on Thursday, January 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at 700 H Street, Room 1450 in Downtown Sacramento. We encourage you to attend and urge the board and city leaders not to expose residents unnecessarily to dangerous pesticides again this summer.

On Wednesday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. in the State Capitol, Room 3191, there is another opportunity for your concerns to be voiced. The Select Committee on West Nile Virus will review and examine the use of aerial pesticide spraying for West Nile Virus.
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BACKGROUND

Last summer, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District began aerial pesticide spraying in order to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. A total of 110,000 acres were sprayed with highly toxic pesticides. The pesticides being used for West Nile Virus mosquito control have been known to cause short-and long-term respiratory problems, immune and nervous system disruption, cancer, and reproductive and learning disorders. Children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to these harmful chemicals.

Spraying to kill adult mosquitoes has not been proven to be effective. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ground and aerial spraying is usually the least effective mosquito control technique. Long term spraying may even increase the numbers of mosquitoes by destroying natural predators. Additionally, mosquitoes that are sprayed, but not killed, by the pesticides may become resistant and continue to spread the virus.

We urge you to make your comments heard at these two hearings.

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ACTION

Please attend the meeting on Thursday, January 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at 700 H Street, Room 1450 in Downtown Sacramento and the hearing on Wednesday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. in the State Capitol, Room 3191.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

About the January 12 hearing:
Contact Eve Bowers, Organic Sacramento, bowerseve [at] yahoo.com or 916 498-9065

About the January 18 hearing:
Contact Adrienne Dominguez with Senator Dean Florez at (916) 651-4016 or (661) 395-2620

Californians for Pesticide Reform;

http://www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=248