Here's the response I got from the guy in charge.

Victor M. Martinez

http://www.che.utexas.edu/~martiv


---------- Forwarded message ----------

Dr. Martinez:

Adulticide mosquito spraying is being done by the Health and Human
Services Department (HHSD) on a very limited and targeted basis and only
when the Health Department team determines that a public health threat
exists. Such a determination is based on a comprehensive site assessment
that involves an investigation of available quantifiable data including
multiple WNV positive mosquito surveillance traps, the number of
reported human cases in and around the targeted area, and the density of
vulnerable populations within the targeted area; site surveys; medical
information, and spatial analysis
(GIS) conducted by certified technicians, public health professionals
and medical staff.

Only EPA approved products, Biomist and Scourage, are applied by
technicians licensed through the Texas Department of Health Integrated
Pest Management Program. The chemicals are used in an Ultra Low Volume
(ULV) formulation. ULV means that only a small portion of pesticide is
used to control the targeted insect. The ULV output is 1 oz. per acre
(equivalent to less than 2 tablespoons of water spread over an acre of
land) for effective control of adult mosquitoes. The ULV applications
evaporate quickly and do not leave any residual in the environment. The
adult mosquito is eliminated when it comes in direct contact with the
ULV droplet which is why spray operations are conducted in the early
morning hours (3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.) when the mosquito is most active.


The following compounds are in the ULV formulations used in the HHSD
spraying operation:

Resmethrin [5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl
(1RS)-cis,trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxyl
ate
[12](CAS # 10453-86-8);
Piperonyl Butoxide, Technical - [Equivalent to 80% (butylcarbityl) ether
and 20% related compounds] (CAS # 51-03-6);
Aromatic Petroleum Solvent (CAS # 64742-94-5)
Permethrin
[(3-Phenoxyphenyl)methyl(+)cis,trans-3-(2,2-dischlorethenyl)-2,2-dimethy
l-cy
clopropanecorboxylate] (CAS # 52645-53-1);
Piperonyl Butoxide, Technical - [Equivalent to 80% (butylcarbityl) ether
and 20% related compounds] (CAS # 000051-03-6);
Inert Ingredients (petroleum distillates) (CAS # 72623-84-8)

The following websites provide additional information that you may find
helpful.

http://www.cmosquito.com/cmcp/Biomist.asp

http://www.adapcoinc.com/adulticides.php


A very small percentage of the mosquito spraying is done in
neighborhoods, but when neighborhoods are scheduled, information
dissemination is as wide as possible, including issuance of a Media
Advisory, City PIO e-mail notification to affected neighborhood and
homeowner associations, and leaflets distributed in targeted zip code
neighborhoods through churches, neighborhood centers, senior activity
centers, daycares, etc.

Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact my office
at 972-5010, or the Rodent & Vector Control Unit, 443-8416.


David Lurie, Director
Austin/Travis County HHSD

Pretty much unacceptable to me, my lizards, toads, snakes, and just about
anything else in my garden. Fortunate for us, we live in upper northeast Round
Rock. Our city has decided not to spray.

I'm so sorry to anyone who is in an area where spraying these pesticides and
synergists are.

v


On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 19:05:19 -0500, "Victor M. Martinez"
opined:

Here's the response I got from the guy in charge.

Victor M. Martinez

http://www.che.utexas.edu/~martiv


---------- Forwarded message ----------

Dr. Martinez:

Adulticide mosquito spraying is being done by the Health and Human
Services Department (HHSD) on a very limited and targeted basis and only
when the Health Department team determines that a public health threat
exists. Such a determination is based on a comprehensive site assessment
that involves an investigation of available quantifiable data including
multiple WNV positive mosquito surveillance traps, the number of
reported human cases in and around the targeted area, and the density of
vulnerable populations within the targeted area; site surveys; medical
information, and spatial analysis
(GIS) conducted by certified technicians, public health professionals
and medical staff.

Only EPA approved products, Biomist and Scourage, are applied by
technicians licensed through the Texas Department of Health Integrated
Pest Management Program. The chemicals are used in an Ultra Low Volume
(ULV) formulation. ULV means that only a small portion of pesticide is
used to control the targeted insect. The ULV output is 1 oz. per acre
(equivalent to less than 2 tablespoons of water spread over an acre of
land) for effective control of adult mosquitoes. The ULV applications
evaporate quickly and do not leave any residual in the environment. The
adult mosquito is eliminated when it comes in direct contact with the
ULV droplet which is why spray operations are conducted in the early
morning hours (3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.) when the mosquito is most active.


The following compounds are in the ULV formulations used in the HHSD
spraying operation:

Resmethrin [5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl
(1RS)-cis,trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxyl
ate
[12](CAS # 10453-86-8);
Piperonyl Butoxide, Technical - [Equivalent to 80% (butylcarbityl) ether
and 20% related compounds] (CAS # 51-03-6);
Aromatic Petroleum Solvent (CAS # 64742-94-5)
Permethrin
[(3-Phenoxyphenyl)methyl(+)cis,trans-3-(2,2-dischlorethenyl)-2,2-dimethy
l-cy
clopropanecorboxylate] (CAS # 52645-53-1);
Piperonyl Butoxide, Technical - [Equivalent to 80% (butylcarbityl) ether
and 20% related compounds] (CAS # 000051-03-6);
Inert Ingredients (petroleum distillates) (CAS # 72623-84-8)

The following websites provide additional information that you may find
helpful.

http://www.cmosquito.com/cmcp/Biomist.asp

http://www.adapcoinc.com/adulticides.php


A very small percentage of the mosquito spraying is done in
neighborhoods, but when neighborhoods are scheduled, information
dissemination is as wide as possible, including issuance of a Media
Advisory, City PIO e-mail notification to affected neighborhood and
homeowner associations, and leaflets distributed in targeted zip code
neighborhoods through churches, neighborhood centers, senior activity
centers, daycares, etc.

Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact my office
at 972-5010, or the Rodent & Vector Control Unit, 443-8416.


David Lurie, Director
Austin/Travis County HHSD