Mosquito Spraying Releases Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ in our Towns
We are now finding out that our municipalities that have allowed mosquito spraying have unintentionally allowed toxic “forever chemicals” to be sprayed in addition to toxic chemicals that we know kill many species of insect at the base of the food web.
Recently the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) of the presence of toxic chemicals (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS for short) in the insecticides being used throughout Massachusetts in the mosquito control programs. The chemicals are not listed as ingredients in the insecticide, but rather a residual byproduct that leached into the liquid mosquito control pesticide product from the plastic containers in which the product was shipped. Link to EPA.gov : https://www.epa.gov/
So far, the town of Stockbridge has opted out of mosquito control since the revelation of this toxic contamination. The town or Becket and the city of Pittsfield will be hearing discussion on this issue this week as well.
