Harmful Health Effects Associated with Aerial Spraying (PDF)

Polemic Paper from the year 2018 in the subject Medicine - Pharmacology, Pharmacy, grade: 1, Egerton University, language: English, abstract: In the recent years, there has been a growing number of concerns about the cause and effect of using large scale pesticides for crop and general insect control. The concerns have also centered on how these pesticides are applied. There have been correlations made between aerial spraying and its impacts on the health of the general population. Notably, majority of pesticides used in the control of insects are not selective. For instance, Naled, Resmethrin and Malathion have been found to kill all insects. The numbers of insects killed include those help in keeping other insects under control. Additionally, aerial spraying threatens lives of aquatic animals and birds. More importantly, agricultural production is under threat owing to increased usage of pesticides. This is because researchers argue that the continued usage of pesticides can lead to the development of resistance genes in organisms making them hard to control. As a result, farmers incur economic costs and decreased production.

With the growing concern over public health and safety, many ways we use to operate have either been changed or eliminated altogether. As examples, the use of lead in house paint and asbestos as an insulation product, have been eliminated. Their removal is highly controlled and regulated. Regulations have been developed to govern the installation of electrical circuits and plumbing product. These have been implemented because of the growing awareness over health and safety.

Research has also found that some pesticides used in mosquitoes contribute to immune suppression. Ideally, the suppression of the human system can lead to allergies, cancers, autoimmune disorder and lupus. For instance, Malathion is the mostly used pesticide and can cause neurotoxicity. Malathion can also cause headaches, diarrhea and nausea.

It is time to stop aerial spraying and find other, less damaging mechanisms to deal with insect infestations. There is a reason for using aerial spraying of fire retardants for forest fires. The result being everything under the airplane is covered, not just the fire. I am proposing that we should stop the usage of aerial spraying and adopt safer practices to control insects. Aerial spraying has serious ramifications to the population, and to the planet.