Maine Board of Pesticides Control

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Human Health and Environmental Relative Risks of WNV Mosquito Control Products

Introduction
Background
Scope

INTRODUCTION

The West Nile Virus working group (WNV-working group), chaired by the Bureau of Health (BOH) has requested input from the Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) regarding potential human health and environmental risks of mosquito control products which may be used to address a WNV outbreak in Maine. Two subcommittees of the BPC, the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and the West Nile Virus Environmental Risk Advisory Committee (WNVERAC) have undertaken these toxicity reviews and risk assessments.

The current Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) members and their affiliations are:

Carol Eckert, MD MAC Chair; Board of Pesticides Control member;

Donald Magioncalda, MD, Director of Oncology, Kennebec Valley Medical Center;

William Steinhart, PhD, Bowdoin College, Department of Biology;

Anthony Tomassoni, MD, Poison Control Center, Maine Medical Center; and

Andrew Smith, ScD, State Toxicologist, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health

The current West Nile Virus Environmental Risk Advisory Committee (WNV-ERAC) members, their areas of expertise and affiliations are:

Standing committee members are:

Lee Humpreys, WNV-ERAC Chair; Board of Pesticides Control member;

Clyde Walton, Board of Pesticides Control, member;

Dick Bradbury, entomologist from the Maine Forest Service;

Katie Zeeman, environmental toxicologist from the Maine DEP; and

Michael Loughlin, aquatic biologist who has worked with the National Marine Fisheries Services, the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission and is an independent consultant.

Members of the WNVERAC with expertise in mosquito habitat and/or mosquito control issues are:

Leon Tsomides from Maine DEP, aquatic entomologist;

Norm Dube, from the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, fish biologist;

Carl Wilson from the Department of Marine Resources, lobster biologist;

Jim Dill from UM Cooperative Extension Pest Management Office; and

Stephen Timpano, Maine IF&W, fisheries /wildlife biologist.

Phil Haines, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Health, attended the WNVERAC meetings as a liaison to the WNV-working group. These committee members and their respective agencies have had input into the review and risk assessment processes.

BACKGROUND

The mosquito products currently under review by the Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) have labels approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for control of mosquitoes in public health situations. The five adulticide (products used on adult mosquitoes) active ingredients reviewed in this process were identified through EPA's Mosquito Control Fact Sheets (68). There are two organophosphates; malathion and naled, and three synthetic pyrethroids; permethrin, phenothrin and resmethrin. Similarly, the five larvicide (products used on immature life stages of mosquitoes) active ingredients; Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus , methoprene, oils (100% Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a- isooctadecyl-? -hydroxyl Monomolecular Film), temephos (Abate), were also identified from the EPA Mosquito Control Fact Sheets (68) and by review of New York City's West Nile Virus response plan (69).

The products were originally identified through a Silver Platter Information Retrieval System (SPIRS) (57) database search for products registered in 1999. Current registration status (2001) and changes from 1999 were verified with registration file review. New products with appropriate labels and sites which were not known in 1999 are not included in this review (Appendix I).

SCOPE

This review does NOT address:

Surveillance for West Nile Virus in mosquitoes, birds or mammals (including humans) in the state of Maine. For more information see the Maine Bureau of Health website: http://janus.state.me.us/dhs/bohepi/birdstest.htm ;
Risks of contracting WNV encephalitis if and when positive mosquitoes, birds or mammals (including humans) are identified;
When or if, and under what circumstances a public health emergency should or will be declared by the Bureau of Health;
Availability and cost of chemicals, application equipment needed or licensed applicators in the state of Maine;
Mosquito populations and personal protective measures. For more information see the Maine Forest Service website: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/mosquito.htm; and
Efficacy of the products or mosquito resistance issues.

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