Should We Continue to have regular fogging in Noida and our Sector? How effective is it against mosquitoes? Are we merely poisoning ourselves and our environment, adding to already high levels of pollutions? These carcinogenic toxins we spew into the air every week are hazardous for our health.
It is certainly good news that apparently the National Green Tribunal recommends no fogging-fumigation should be done in Delhi as it is ineffective at controlling mosquitoes, is injurious to our health and is also a major environmental hazard.
Anti-mosquito fogging is 95 per cent diesel mixed with five per cent chemicals like Pyrethrum, Malathion and Alphacypher. Diesel functions as a gaseous solvent for the actual mosquitocidal elements, which are categorised as ‘slightly hazardous’ themselves. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), estimates that a total 4.5 lakh litre of diesel could have been used in fogging in Delhi each season. This is equivalent to diesel fumes emitted by about 2,250 cars running for 30 kms in a day.
Worse still, the intense fogging done at nose level ensures that a large quantity of it is absorbed by human lungs. Diesel is a class-I carcinogen (cancer-causing element) as per the World Health Organisation (WHO), a fact often cited against the use of diesel-guzzling vehicle as well.
The WHO has also issued clear guidelines against fumigation which say: ‘Not to be done, unless absolutely required.’
Fogging also makes residents complacent about their role in preventing mosquito breeding. The best way to control mosquitoes is to prevent any standing water anywhere so that they cannot breed. Each resident and the RWA as a whole has to keep a keen eye out for standing water in and around our homes.
