My mosquito control project.

• Author: Lauren, Tess

[The author began studying pesticide sprays as a home school project in 2000, when she was 10 years old --Editor.]

About two years ago, I saw Glendale's mosquito spray truck coming down our street. I asked my mom what the spray was, how it worked, and what was in it. She told me she didn't know and suggested we find out. I had an interview with Ed Visie, the Head of Glendale's Public Works at the time, and found out a few things such as the name of the spray (Bio mist), how much it cost the city to spray for mosquitoes ($4,000), and why Glendale started spraying (residents requested it). I learned that Glendale has sprayed for about 20 years. I got the name of the company that provides the Bio mist (Clark Outdoors). I called them and asked for the ingredients and the nice woman on the phone offered to send me a label of Bio mist, which I received within a few days. After reading the label several times with my parents to try and understand it, I looked for information on the chemicals in it and how they work.

Most of my research comes from the Internet. 1 found a great website called "Beyond Pesticides" run by the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP). They have tons of information including facts on permethrin, the main active ingredient found in the spray. The information I found was very surprising. There were many websites linking cancer to pesticide exposure. I found that permethrin and the group of chemicals called pyrethroids, which permethrin is part of, produce cancer in many studies.

Here is just some of what I found: "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), now ranks permethrin as a class C, or possible human carcinogen. It will not be until 2002 or later that EPA expects to complete its review of permethrin and synthetic pyrethroids...Many pyrethroids have also been linked to disruption of the endocrine system which can adversely affect reproduction and sexual development, interfere with the immune system and increase chances of breast cancer... Other studies of its effects show enlarged livers and at high levels decreased female fertility." (from NCAMP Chemical Watch Fact sheet.) "Cancers diagnosed in children younger than 15 are increasing at about 1% a year in the US. Cancers are now the second leading cause of death among children (after accidents)." (Rachel 's Environment and Health Weekly #5 88, "Children's cancer and pesticides.")

Even more surprisingly, I found information that the spray may not...