Ah yes, I think it was Rusmisel who met with East Bay Pesticide Alert, and seemed genuinely concerned.

The link I sent was to "Overkill: Why Pesticide Spraying for West Nile Virus May Cause More Harm Than Good", though. (The "Dirty Decade Report" is one I hadn't seen before. Very interesting piece.) I wonder if the link I sent took you to a different place than it was supposed to...? If you haven't seen the actual article I meant to send, it's really the best indepth expose I've seen on WNV and mosquito abatement (http://meepi.org/wnv/overkillma.htm - if clicking on this doesn't take you to "Overkill", try copying and pasting it instead). "Overkill" exposes the dangers of all the different types of pesticides used in Mosquito Abatement in this country, including the larvicides they use (Methoprene and BTi). 

There seems to be a bit of miscommunication on their part though: On the ACMAD site, in the picture next to the mention of larvicide use (under services), it looks like they are spraying it out of a hose (In San Francisco they use both solids and sprays, right down into the storm drains, those grates with big signs that say "no dumping" because it drains to the bay...). According to ACMAD's "Control Program" document (http://www.mosquitoes.org/downloads/control_program.pdf), they are not only using solids, nor are they only using larvicides. Even though they are saying that adulticiding is a "last resort" method (leaving the door wide open for using all sorts of scary chemicals anytime they decide to), I was shocked to read that they list Resmethrin (Scourge), a pyrethroid containing the horribly toxic piperonyl butoxide (PBO), as part of their current program. Resmethrin and PBO are also discussed in great detail in "Overkill".

Another concern I have with ACMAD is that they continue to push DEET, saying that (direct quote:) "DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older" (http://www.mosquitoes.org/wnvupdate.htm). Horrifying! If I was a homeowner filling out a survey, I would make it very clear that I don't want my money being used to publicize such irresponsible recommendations, and to support their very open ended language of "last resort" methods.

For more help in arguing against these toxics, there are tox profiles of Resmethrin, BT, PBO, DEET, and many others, at Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (scroll almost all the way to bottom of page for fact sheets): http://www.pesticide.org/factsheets.html

For some of the environmental impact of another product ACMAD uses, Golden Bear oil, see this link:
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/envicon/pim/reports/Sacramento/GoldBearOil.htm

And Bart's suggestion to look for alternatives at Tvedten's site is a great idea. We can talk for hours about how toxic all this stuff is, but it becomes even harder to argue against our concerns when we provide alternatives. My favorite of Tvedten's alternatives to fighting mosquitoes at home, which I've used quite successfully: Blow a fan out the window... Tough as they are, they apparently can't fly in high winds.

Awesome you're opening up this discussion, Lorraine. Thank you. I think they need to hear it from a lot of different sources, and need reminding periodically. Did they ever tell you what this assessment fee and survey is for, or why it's only for some homeowners?

Isis


Bart <yaahoobart@...> wrote:

you might find some good info on Stephen Tvedten's site; he is a former exterminator who has searched for nontoxic pesticides after bad effects in his life

search for "mosquito" here http://www.getipm.com/search.htm

among the list I found 'nontoxic mosquito control'
http://www.getipm.com/bestcont/mosquitos.htm



lorraine james <searchless1@...> wrote:

Just spoke extensively with John Rusmisel, Director of the Alameda Co.
Mosquito Abatement District.

Most important points:

He is an advocate for our needs ~ having health issues of his own.

He welcomes dialogue that promotes education, exchange of information
& policies and empowerment for the best possible solutions to the
problems we all face; be they mosquitoes, toxic chemicals, or … .

NEED A NEW BOARD MEMBER! Serve 2+ yrs. Most on board are VERY old and
have served an average of 20+ yrs. He hopes that the person who
replaces the member leaving, an attorney who is an advocate for "us"
will be as high powered and articulate.

They use no organophosphates, only larvicides solids placed into water.
Go to http://www.mosquitoes.org/ for further info about what they do,
use, etc.

Mid-late April a ballot will come out to homeowners for approval of
assessment of $3. if not passed, they will cut support staff, not
field staff, and possibly in the future have to cut their expenditure
on more expensive, less toxic materials.

I sent him the link to the report, "Dirty Decade Report", that Isis
sent me. Thanks Isis.
http://www.toxicsaction.org/Dirty_Decade_Report_.pdf
John will reply to it to continue dialogue.
I will continue to forward our notes to us here.

john's contact info:
510-783-7744
email: acmad@mosquitoes.org
A.C. Mosq. Abat. Dist.
23187 Connecticut Street
Hayward, ca. 94545

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