NEW YORK CITY - September 23, 2005 - To reduce mosquito activity and to control West Nile virus, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will spray pesticide from trucks in parts of Staten Island from 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, Sep. 27 to 6:00 A.M. on Wednesday, Sep. 28. If weather does not permit, spraying will be delayed until the evening of Wednesday, September 28, or the next possible night.

The areas to be sprayed include all or parts of Bull's Head, Bloomfield, Chelsea, New Springville, Heartland Village, Willowbrook and Graniteville. Zip codes to be covered include 10311 and 10314. (See table below for boundaries; also see attached map.)

Neighborhood	Boundaries	Zip Code	Download Map
Bull's Head, Bloomfield, Chelsea, New Springville, Heartland Village, Willowbrook, Graniteville	Bordered by Staten Island expressway to the north; Woolley Avenue and Forest Hill Road to the east; Travis Avenue, Park Drive North, Signs Road, Park Place, Victory Boulevard, Travis Avenue and Seventh Avenue to the south; and West Shore Expressway to the west.	10311, 10314	Click here

DOHMH will apply Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin), a synthetic pyrethroid used in mosquito control efforts. A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), completed by DOHMH in the summer of 2001, found that there is no significant risk of adverse impact to human health associated with the proper use of pyrethroids. Please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/feis.shtml to read the EIS.

The use of pesticides in New York City is conducted in accordance with federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) guidelines.

DOHMH Recommendations to Reduce Exposure to Mosquitoes

• Take personal precautions against mosquito bites:
  • Use repellents that contain DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, repellents containing picaridin have been approved for sale in New York State and may soon be available for purchase. ALWAYS use repellents according to manufacturer’s instructions on the label.
  • Wear protective clothing (e.g., long pants, long-sleeved shirts) if possible, particularly at dusk and dawn
  • Avoid shaded, bushy areas where mosquitoes like to rest.
• Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property:
  • Dispose of containers that can collect standing water
  • Make sure roof gutters drain properly
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools
  • Drain water that collects in pool covers
  • Change water in birdbaths every three to four days
  • Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use
  • Remove discarded tires on your property
  • Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties
• Repair or replace all window and door screens that have tears and holes.

Recommendations to Avoid Direct Exposure to Pesticides

People should take care to minimize exposure to pesticides. Anyone who experiences adverse reactions to pesticides should seek medical care or call the New York City Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS (212-764-7667).

DOHMH offers these recommendations on avoiding direct exposure to pesticides:

• Persons with asthma or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to stay inside during spraying since there is a possibility that spraying could worsen these conditions.
• Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water.
• As always, rinse fresh fruits and vegetables with water before eating.
• It is recommended that food sold or prepared outdoors in the spraying area be covered with a non-porous material, such as plastic sheeting, during the spraying event.
• Air conditioners may remain on. But if you wish to reduce the possibility of exposure to pesticides, set the air conditioner vent to the closed position, or choose the “exhaust” function.
• If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to pesticides, they may be washed with soap and water to reduce the possibility of exposure.

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