We’ve seen front- page news recently about mosquito control, dolphin deaths, river health and the future of Perth. There is a link between these matters and I believe that it is important to us and to our children.
Our values are demonstrated in the way that we care for our country, respect future generations and think widely about the implications of matters that concern us today.
The City has extended the footpath along the Canning River, behind Clontarf. This is in the area where people have expressed concern about mosquitoes. As I have lived in hot, humid locations in the Pacific and in Africa, suffered dengue fever and swatted a good few insects, I took a ride to have a look at the area myself.
Rehabilitation of the riverbank, including swan nesting areas, is very impressive. The way that the work is managed shows a wonderful sensitivity to the diversity of our river banks.
This seems to contrast with loud, public calls to kill mosquitoes by fogging. My concern here is that chemical fogging lasts for a few hours at best and can poison the locality, affecting aquatic animals and our unborn and infant children.
I searched for safety details of the components of foggers used in WA and found that the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at Oxford University states that Piperonyl Butoxide is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, is an experimental carcinogen, is not classifiable as a human carcinogen and may cause reproductive defects. They state that it is very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term damage to the environment. Another safety data sheet spoke of human female reproductive system toxicity, possible developmental toxicity, toxicity to blood, kidneys, lungs, liver, skin and central nervous system and general deterioration in health through accumulation in human organs.
Do we really want to cause more river deaths? Do we want our mothers and children absorbing such compounds? This is a plea to residents to think widely about the solutions to what is a very present irritation. Numerous other cities have addressed mosquito issues in other ways, including attention to backyard breeding areas.
Surely we can do better than just spreading poison.
Have your say by clicking on “Comments,” below.
1 comment:
Those who live by the river choose to live there. Mosquitoe larvae are a natural food source for aquatic creatures that make the river what it is.
Has the City tried bat boxes - as I know have been suggested? Another sustainable solution is to maximise drainage without adversely affecting the water table or other creatures.
If fogging is to be used, then I want lots of signs so that I can avoid being affected while riding my bike in the area.
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