What health risks are posed to people and pets from pesticides for adult mosquitoes?
In the amounts used, risks to people and pets are relatively low. However, some people may be more sensitive to pesticides and may want to reduce their chance of exposure by following the suggestions below. Anyone experiencing adverse reactions to pesticides should seek medical care or call 311 or the NYC Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS (764-7667).
The insecticides used to control adult mosquitoes are among the safest available chemicals, but they do carry some health risks. The risks are affected by the type of product, the application method, the amount used, the length of exposure, and many individual characteristics such as age, gender, general health or lifestyle. Consult your local health department for information on the mosquito control products they are using. The Environmental Protection Agency has a website with toxicology information on the pesticides used to control mosquitoes, http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/mosquito.htm.
