Cypermethrin: Frequent fogging and insecticide concerns in mosquito control

[sense]

THE widespread practice of thermal fogging using the insecticide cypermethrin for mosquito control in Singapore is a cause for concern.

In some areas, the residents cannot avoid inhaling the chemical several times a week because of frequent fogging in the neighbourhood. The chemical may also contaminate drain water, a source of Newater.


Cypermethrin is widely used in agriculture in many countries but seldom in densely populated areas.


The National Environment Agency believes cypermethrin is safe. But we really have no knowledge of the long-term effects of repeated exposure to the chemical on people, especially infants and children.


There are no perfectly harmless chemicals and drugs.


When DDT was first introduced in 1939, it was hailed as an ideal insecticide with no harmful effects on higher forms of animals. In 1962, American biologist Rachel Carson found that the chemical could cause cancer and harm animals high up in food chains. And in 1972, DDT was banned in America. Also, aspirin, considered perfectly safe for decades, is now known to have side-effects.


A chemical or drug is used justifiably if its benefits outweigh its harmful effects.


According to a field study carried out in Malaysia and tests published in natural science journal Florida Entomologist, cypermethrin's effectiveness as a larvicide (larvae killer) is doubtful.


When there is an outbreak of a mosquito-related disease, fogging should be an immediate response to kill adult mosquitoes over several hectares at one go, while doubling the efforts to clear the area of stagnant water.


However, it is ludicrous for individual home owners to have thermal fogging carried out routinely in their compounds.


Its efficacy is short-lived and the neighbours' houses can suddenly be shrouded in a chemical fog that is probably harmful to infants and children.


The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies cypermethrin as a possible human cancer-inducing agent. A recent study has linked pyrethroids, to which cypermethrin belongs, to leukaemia and lymphoma.


Cypermethrin is a neurotoxin that can affect brain tissue and can damage many other organs.


Let us avoid the futile individual thermal fogging, and concentrate our efforts on the key to mosquito control - prevention of stagnant water formation.


Dr Ong Siew Chey

 

[sense]

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[Bigfuck]

I already told you guys you are being poisoned by the PAP. How can hawkers center be clean if the worker uses the same piece of unwashed and unsterilized cloth 20 times a day for weeks at a row? I think the floor might be cleaner than the table.
Ask what NEA is doing.

 

[sense]

Pesticides used not harmful, says NEA

WE AGREE with Dr Ong Siew Chey ('Frequent fogging and insecticide concerns in mosquito control'; March 20), PestBusters ('Condos must change mindset; last Friday), Mr Harry Tong ('Inconsiderate fogging leaves neighbours fuming' in Forum Online; Monday), and the Singapore Pest Management Association ('Fogging used sparingly, safety procedures in place: Association'; Tuesday) that thermal fogging should be carried out more selectively by private property owners and neighbourhood committees.

Instead, reducing sources of breeding should be the top priority in controlling mosquitoes. Frequent fogging leads to higher resistance by the mosquitoes, which works against us in the long run.

Nonetheless, only pesticides, including cypermethrin, which have undergone the World Health Organisation Pesticide Evaluation Scheme are considered for use in Singapore.

The scheme has a rigorous four-phase evaluation and testing programme which reviews the safety, efficacy and operational acceptability of pesticides.

Details of the evaluation programme and findings are available at www.who.int/whopes/en/.

In addition, the concentration of cypermethrin used during fogging in open areas is very low (that is, usually about 0.3 per cent, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions) and is thus not harmful to the average person.

It is also insoluble in water and is easily removed at the first stage of the water treatment process for the production of safe drinking water.

Members of the public who are particularly sensitive to fogging should stay indoors and close the windows or avoid proximity until the fogging is over.

There has been a significant drop in fogging practices across Singapore over the years.

The National Environment Agency will continue working closely with stakeholders, such as the Singapore Pest Management Association, to advocate source reduction over thermal fogging.

We thank the writers for their feedback.

Tai Ji Choong
Director, Environmental Health Department
National Environment Agency

 

[sense]

Stop thermal fogging from being a routine

THE letters by Dr Ong Siew Chey ('Frequent fogging and insecticide concerns in mosquito control'; March 20) and PestBusters ('Condos must change mindset'; last Friday) are the latest of many Forum Page letters over the years, including mine ('Put a stop to routine thermal fogging'; Sept 8, 2004) which expressed concern about safety and the impact on the environment with thermal fogging for mosquito control.

It is sad that the situation seems to have worsened over the years. Every condominium, big and small, carries out routine fogging every week, and worse still, many terraced and semi-detached houses also do so.

When I first moved into my condo more than 10 years ago, there were bees, butterflies and other insects around.

Now, I can hardly find any flying insects. While I am gratified by PestBusters' positive attitude in appealing to condominium managements to change their mindsets about fogging their environment regularly, the National Environment Agency (NEA) must play the leading role. The NEA must have stringent guidelines and enforce them diligently.

Thermal fogging should never be a routine undertaking.

Dr Wong Ming Keong

 

[tonychat]

This is what happens when you stay in sinkieland, Sinkies are too dumbfuck to manage anything right.

 

[erection2015]

hey toeknee .....you head is like your avatar .....spinning non stop until thinking properly is not possible.

This is what happens when you stay in sinkieland, Sinkies are too dumbfuck to manage anything right.

 

[looneytan]

This is what happens when you stay in sinkieland, Sinkies are too dumbfuck to manage anything right.

Fandi Ahmad Academy is in Singapore, you fucktard:oIo: singie,:oIo:

go and unsinkeefied yourself first:oIo:, you sinkie village idiot:oIo:

 

[looneytan]

This is what happens when you stay in sinkieland, Sinkies are too dumbfuck to manage anything right.

hey, when did i claim that i stay in Aussieland. All the while, i am in sinkieland

 

[groober2011]

I already told you guys you are being poisoned by the PAP. How can hawkers center be clean if the worker uses the same piece of unwashed and unsterilized cloth 20 times a day for weeks at a row? I think the floor might be cleaner than the table.
Ask what NEA is doing.

Other unhygienic practices such as washing dishes in same soapy water and rinsing in same tub. Why Singapore cannot practice using dishwashing machines? I thought they want productivity to improve?

The eating utensils are not separated therefore strangers' hands are touching those you took and your hands are doing the same which others will take. This is unhygienic for who knows where those hands had been before?

Why are the crows, magpies and pigeons hanging around to take the leftovers from our tables? Is that hygienic and the eateries will tell you pets are not allowed. This is strange.