The Metro Public Health Department has chosen to spray the pesticide Anvil 2+2 against mosquitoes despite the fact that in 2003 the State Entomologist suggested they address mosquito populations through preventative measures by hiring seasonal staff to reduce breeding sites. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), reducing breeding sites is the most effective and economical form of mosquito control.

Public health officials are often tempted to overuse pesticides because of political and public pressure. Some may also overuse pesticides due to their lack of formal education in entomology. Metro has been spraying pesticides in Nashville neighborhoods for over 30 years but "because we've always done it" is not a good reason to spray either. Health officials should use good science to make their decisions and make an effort to educate the public about the limitations and risks of pesticide use.

The CDC states that spraying is the least effective form of mosquito control. Spraying may temporarily knock down adult mosquito populations BUT, according to research, if breeding sites are not reduced the problem will return to prespray levels or surpass them within about 5-10 days. This is why hiring season workers to reduce mosquito breeding sites is not only good science but common sense prevention.

Pesticides are poisons and have inherent risks. The risks of pesticide use must be carefully weighed against the benefits. A wide variety of experts consulted by BURNT (including a world-renown mosquito researcher) have agreed that the extremely low incidence of West Nile virus in Middle Tennessee from 2002-2007 does not support the risks of using of Anvil 2+2.

The worst part about the spraying is that there is no credible scientific evidence that it affects the human incidence of West Nile virus. It may even just make the problem worse by creating resistant mosquitoes. The CDC did one study that suggested that spraying did NOT reduce the incidence of West Nile virus but personal protection did.  Are Nashville neighborhoods being sprayed with poison so Metro can put on a show of "doing something" about the West Nile virus even though the spray may be no more effective against West Nile virus than if they sprayed water from their trucks?

Scientists and physicians have also expressed concern about recent peer-reviewed toxicological studies showing chemicals contained Anvil 2+2 are riskier than we thought years ago. Anvil 2+2 contains a known endocrine distruptor (sumithrin) and a known mutagen or cancer-causing agent (piperonyl butoxide). Scientists say that there is no safe dose of a mutagen. These chemicals have been linked to breast cancer, thyroid problems, and a whole host of other illnesses.

For all these reasons, progressive cites (like Charlotte NC, Washington DC, Fort Worth TX and 8 counties surrounding Atlanta) are emphasizing effective non-toxic prevention. Pesticides should be used as a last resort for emergencies.


Nashvillle's Metro Public Health Department staff has demonstrated very little respect for pesticides!

Staff at the Metro Public Health Department have demonstrated poor judgement when handling the pesticide Anvil 2+2. They have a long history of violating protocols and policies. They are also known for leaving the spray on as they passed pedestrians. They seriously injured at least five Nashville citizens. Four of these victims were sprayed at close range. They have sickened over 30 citizens that we know of between 2003 and 2006. When some of these victims called the Health Department to complain about symptoms, the MPHD's toxicologist claimed that the pesticide "was safe and couldn't cause the problems." The symptoms they were complaining about were listed right on the Material Safety Data sheet for Anvil 2+2.

BURNT believes that Public Health employees who have no respect for pesticides, policies, or medical ethics have no business mass spraying pesticides in our neighborhoods. The MPHD's failure to correct these problems led the city council to pass an ordinance in an effort to try prevent some of the problems that occurred with spraying. See www.nospraynashville.org/ordinance.html for more information.

BEWARE! THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL SPRAY PEDESTRIANS

The Metro Public Health Department passed a new policy in April 2008 that allows their drivers to leave the spray on in the presence of pedestrians. This photo shows a driver who left the spray running as he passed at least 96 citizens an area north of Fisk University on July 31, 2006 when the policy was supposed to be to shut off the spray. A lead and following truck from the MPHD accompanied this driver but did nothing to stop him as he left the spray running while he passed young children in their yards,  kids on bicycles on the street and a man in a wheel chair on the sidewalk.

Any one who was sprayed or has seen someone who was sprayed should call BURNT at 327-8515. Leave your name and number and a volunteer will call you back. See www.nospraynashville.org for instructions on what to do if you are sprayed.

DO NOT ALLOW THE CARELESS USE of Anvil 2+2®
(The pesticide used by our Health Department to "control" mosquitoes.)

Pesticides are poisons and have some inherent risk.

It is a violation of Federal Law for a manufacturer or distributor to say that a pesticide is safe. Why does our Health Department feel it is acceptable to make false statements of safety?

The long and short-term risks of spraying pesticides should be carefully weighed against the benefits before spraying.

New research shows Anvil 2+2® contains a known mutagen (a cancer-causing agent). There is no safe dose of a mutagen.

The least toxic solution should always be used AND many cities in the U.S. have successfully controlled mosquitoes and the diseases they carry without resorting to pesticides. Why can't our city do this?