CAN YOU kill the enemy with plastic bullets? An Army General once asked his subordinate. The latter replied, “No. No way, sir.” Why? The General asked. “Because, you need what kills and not what thrills!”
But, the Health Department wants to kill the mosquitoes with plastic bullets—sub-standard material!!
Several times lab tests have confirmed that the quality of the material used in spraying was not up to the standard. But the reports have not been taken note of. Purchases of the same standard of material continue, exposing the common man to the humming nuisance.
City gets three kinds of spray where the first is done under anti-larva activity. This is done when atmospheric temperature remains in between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, considered favourable for mosquito breeding.
Second is the Space Spray with plant extract (Pyrethrum 2%). This happens to be a tool for restricting mosquitoes from entering a specific area but due to poor quality of the extract the restriction is not imposed.
Third is the residual spray, which includes Malathion, Synthetic Pyrethroid and DDT in equal ratio. This mixture is actually dangerous for human health thus it cannot be used in majority of the densely populated localities. If used regularly in same locality it may turn in to slow poison.
{{/usCountry}}Third is the residual spray, which includes Malathion, Synthetic Pyrethroid and DDT in equal ratio. This mixture is actually dangerous for human health thus it cannot be used in majority of the densely populated localities. If used regularly in same locality it may turn in to slow poison.
{{/usCountry}}When asked the officials of the health department say, their work profile is just to check the transmission of disease.
They do not have to kill mosquitoes nor do they have the standard material to do so.
“Our aim is not to kill these insects but to restrict their growth and movement in the residential area. But with poor quality stuff we get, keeping mosquitoes away from houses is tough,” said a senior health official.
With below standard ingredients and restricted use of the spray mosquitoes have enough reasons to grow.
Therefore, to keep yourself safe from these bloodsuckers and the diseases they pass on, you have to depend upon mosquito coils or the liquid repellant available at a price in the market.