CAMPAIGNS

Cicero Swamp Aerial Spraying

Just North of Syracuse is the Cicero Swamp, home to countless wildlife including bald eagles and the endangered Easter Massasuage rattlesnake as well as the rare Indiana Bat. The Onondaga County Health Department aerial sprayed the swamp on the evening of August 9, 2004 with a synthetic pythrethoid called Kontrol 30-30. The aerial pesticide spraying was conducted after two mosquito pools tested positive for Easter Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The mosquitoes identified as infected are not known to be human biters. According to the Center for Disease Control’s website only two cases of EEE have been confirmed in New York State since 1964. This was the first aerial spraying of Cicero Swamp in eight years.

The active ingredient in Kontrol 30-30 is Permerthrin, a synthetic Pyrethroid. Pyrethroids are a classification of chemicals that are known neurotoxins, which mean they are poisonous to the nervous system. In addition they are highly toxic to bees and fish.

According to the New York State Department of Health, health effects caused by aerial spraying of these adulticides might include acute asthma attacks, respiratory problems, dermatological problems, and dizziness, nausea and eye irritations. In fact, the Kontrol 30-30 label discloses the following environmental hazard:

This product is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not apply directly to water, to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal area below the mean high water mark. Note: Do not apply this product within 100 feet of fish bearing areas. Do not allow spray treatment to drift onto pastureland, cropland, poultry ranges, or water supplies.

CCE believes that we need to balance the need to reduce the threat posed by mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), with the need to protect the public from pesticide exposure as well as to protect the unique ecosystem of the Cicero Swamp. This is why CCE advocates for a limited targeted ground spray. This preferred application could directly target the infected areas thereby reducing or eliminating the infected mosquito pools while at the same time greatly limiting pesticide exposure to the public and the environment. CCE believes this is an acceptable balance to protect the ecosystem and public health.

Click here to view CCE's August 5, 2004 press release on Cicero Swamp and aerial spraying of pesticides