Soil can become infertile: Environmentalists

Chennai: “The concoction used in fogging machines to control mosquito population might not kill the larvae, but makes the soil infertile,” said environmentalists opposing the usage and demanding civic body authorities to embrace sustainable preventive measures.

“With 95 per cent of diesel and 5 per cent of toxins like Pyrethrum extract or malathion, the mixture which gets absorbed in soil and water kills the micro nutrients,” said joint director of CPR Environmental Education Centre P. Sudhakar. Although many countries have banned Malathion which is man-made organophosphate insecticide, the usage in ultra-low volume sprays rages environmentalists and healthcare experts. “It is an aggressive exploitation of natural resources as enormous amount of diesel is used for the cause. Why not follow the herbal ways instead?” questions Director of CPR Environmental Education Centre Dr Nanditha Krishnan. Suggesting ways, Nanditha said that Citronella Oil is a good mosquito repellant. “Pouring some drops in open ponds could control mosquito population. By using the fogging sprays, mosquitos will be transported to the other neighbourhood,” she added. Alternative measures like educating the residents on hygiene aspects should be more focused, added Nanditha.

Pyrethrum extract, widely used, is generally organic. However, sources from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said that it is often mixed with hazardous chemicals to make more effective. “Considered as extremely dangerous, malathion usage is banned in many countries. It is shocking to know that the corporation uses it. Also, the methods followed are not as per the WHO guidelines. It should be done with no exposure to humans, food and water. But everyone witnesses it to be happening amid the crowded road, “said environmental activist Nithyanand Jayaraman.