Worried about the toxic and ineffective synthetic chemical mosquito pesticides sprayed on our homes - and their impact on our children and our pets? You should be! South Miami and New York City have banned them. Let’s get them banned in Miami-Dade County too - and implement safer, more effective methods!

School bus campaigner Holly Thorpe, 15, whose science project persuaded Miami-Dade County to replace its diesel-powered school buses with pollution-free electric ones, has joined forces with South Miami’s former mayor, Dr. Philip Stoddard, Professor of Biological Sciences at Florida International University, in supporting  this critically needed reform.

It was thanks to Dr. Philip Stoddard, mayor of South Miami (2010-2020) that South Miami banned synthetic chemical insecticides in public spaces because of mounting scientific evidence that not only were they dangerous to human health as well as other wildlife, but that they actually made the problem worse!

There are two kinds of spraying, which is conducted by trucks around 4am. One kind targets mosquito larvae (hatchlings), and uses a naturally occurring, biodegradable bacterium which appears to present no risk to humans nor to other insects except midges. This is great and needs to be expanded!

The second form of spraying targets adult mosquitos. Miami-Dade uses several products, whose key ingredients are highly toxic malathion and chlorpyrifos. 

Both malathion and chlorpyrifos are widely used synthetic pesticides which independent studies show are highly toxic to other insects, birds and mammals - including humans. They are neurotoxic, carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors (interfering with our hormonal system).

“The synthetic chemical pesticides sprayed by the County are all neurotoxic, especially to children because their brains are still developing and they are more sensitive” said Dr Stoddard. “These chemicals are not even effective in controlling the mosquitos, whose populations recover rapidly following a spray application, in part because their natural predators, like spiders and dragonflies, are incapacitated by the insecticides.”

Holly Thorpe, a ninth-grader at MAST Academy, said: ““The trouble is that people just don’t realize how dangerous these chemicals we spray are to our environment, animals, and us. No one likes getting bitten by mosquitoes but there are better ways to deal with mosquitoes rather than by spraying toxic chemicals that cause more harm than good."

Simon Strong, a Miami Beach resident and founder of The Oliver Foundation, focused on the prevention of pediatric cancer which has surged 45% in the US since 1975, (the Miami-Dade pediatric cancer rate being 32% higher than the national average), said: “They warn us to keep 100 feet away but our yards start a few feet from the street. Each time we are sprayed with the synthetic chemicals our dragonflies vanish and the few birds around seem to back off, their berries and caterpillars poisoned.

“And neighbors report increased illnesses afflicting our cats and dog, as well as the sudden death of pond fish – so we worry for our cat as well, who inevitably will pick up the pesticide on his coat, bring it into the house, clean himself and ingest it. Cats cannot detoxify commonly used insecticides such as deltamethrin. As for us humans, we ingest the pesticides by bringing them in on our shoes, on our hands from the handles of our cars, from our mailboxes, from our swimming pools, and – in the case of our children – from the ground.”

Melissa Beattie, president of the Venetian Islands Homeowners Association and Miami Beach Commission 3 candidate, said: “We place our trust in our officials and agencies to prioritize the safety of our children, our pets and our environment. With precedent from South Florida and New York, an alternative, safer path is available. Our county should strongly consider taking the necessary steps in following suit.”

For further details, please contact Simon Strong at simon@thereasonswhy.us and see our full press release at https://thereasonswhy.us/ban-toxic-and-ineffective-mosquito-chemicals-in-miami-dade/

And please sign our petition!!!