On Sunday, August 28, 2016, Dorchester County unknowingly killed millions of bees when they sprayed similar toxic chemicals via airplane in an effort to combat mosquitoes. The lasting effects of these chemicals are not known however, we do have a glimpse of what the damage it is doing to the ecosystem, the pollinators and the honeybees.

On September 6th we were notified by Charleston County of their intentions on their Facebook page stating, "We will be aerially inspecting and spraying standing water for aquatic stage mosquitoes throughout the County of Charleston September 7, 2016 through September 12, 2016. These operations will be conducted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m." This is 5 days of spraying toxic chemicals in the air during the time that pollinators are out foraging and working AND when your unknowing citizens are out at school, work or play. Per the EPA website, this time frame is ineffective and in our opinion, reckless.

This is both disturbing and frightening to many that live in Charleston County. There are countless wild and privately owned beehives all over Charleston County that are a vital to our eco system. Additionally, many organic farmers will lose any and all certifications due to this spraying- we are talking unknown loss that will devastate this county as a whole. There are pregnant women and babies, which the effects are also unknown as to how they will be affected and those with already serious health conditions that will worsen when brought into contact with these toxic chemicals.

Regardless of the information available on the Charleston County website, there is not yet any recorded information of side effects to the environment or to humans at this time. If the long term side effects are anything near the devastation already noted from Dorchester County, one can only deduct that this is toxic to every living thing in one way or another.
A few hours or even the day before, is not a significant amount of time for an entire town to be notified as to the intentions of the county to begin aerial spraying of potentially toxic chemicals. There has also not been enough information given for the general population to be educated on such an event and it's possible side effects.

This petition is a demand for the contracted mosquito abatement to cease immediately until such a time that the general populace (in the target area and surrounding areas); to be notified as to the ingredients of such chemicals, be provided copies of their material safety data sheets (MSDS), dosing amounts and possible side effects. We demand that this spraying be stopped until such a time the general population can ask questions in an open forum that has been scheduled and advertised well in advance so that they are able to voice concerns and opinions to their local and elected officials before abatement continues.

We demand that this abatement (and future aerial spraying) cease and desist until such time as these things can be addressed by the proper personnel.

Thank You,

Concerned Citizens of Charleston County
Save Humanity Save The Bees