Organic Gardening will upgrade its login and registration system on
December 11. The new system is needed to support some of the major site
enhancements that we are currently developing. The new system is shared with
other Rodale sites, including Prevention, Men's Health, Runner's World and Women's Health.
Click here for answers to the most frequently
asked questions related to the new system.
We recently moved to a small town in north Alabama. We noticed this summer that every Wednesday evening a city truck drove by spraying something. I called the city hall and found out that the spray is Permanone 3166, intended to kill mosquitoes. The person I spoke to could not or would not give me any other information (concentration, etc.). The entire town is sprayed once a week. I requested that the sprayer be turned off when the truck passes my house, and the driver has complied, but I still do not feel good about this. Can anyone help me with more information on this insecticide? How worried should I be? Is there a cost effective organic alternative this little town might consider? Any information or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Jeanne in Sheffield, Alabama
A Google search on Permanone indicates that it is permethrin, this is from http://ace.ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/pips/permethr.htm "Permethrin is a moderately to practically non-toxic pesticide in EPA toxicity class II or III, depending on the formulation. Formulations are placed in class II due to their potential to cause eye and skin irritation. Products containing permethrin must bear the Signal Word WARNING or CAUTION, depending on the toxicity of the particular formulation. All products for agricultural uses (except livestock and premises uses) are Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) because of their possible adverse effects on aquatic organisms. "
I live in Birmingham and know there have been concerns in Alabama about West Nile virus. All in all, if you read the rest of the information on the web site, it appears to be a synthetic version of pyrethrins and fairly mild. Given the risks of West Nile, it seems like a fair trade-off. Like you, however, I hate to see the trucks spewing their vapors.
One of the most trustworthy sources of information about pesticides, I've found, is the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides. Its Website is at http://www.beyondpesticides.org/
and on the site you can find specific factsheets and more about many commonly used pesticides. You might check on this site for more info about Permanone 3166.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you.
