Dear Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Mayor Tomas Regalado,

I am writing to you regarding the current deployment of NALED, a highly toxic organophosphate pesticide, being sprayed over Wynwood, Miami and the surrounding 10-square-mile area.

Numerous research studies indicate that this pesticide poses massive health risks to humans and animals as well as beneficial insects.

For example, a recent study by researchers at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) found that pregnant women living within a few miles of farms sprayed with organophosphates like NALED had a 60% increased risk of having a child with autism. (1)

Another research study on animals suggests that organophosphates may have neurological and developmental effects on fetuses, INCLUDING smaller brain size (microcephaly) – a condition, which is currently being attributed to ZIKA virus. (2)

In addition, exposure to dichlorvos, a breakdown product of NALED, has been linked to an increased rate of childhood brain cancer according to research conducted by the Missouri Department of Health. (3)

NALED is currently illegal in The European Union due to an unacceptable risk to human life and the environment.

Taking into account this crucial information, I’m insisting that safer alternatives to NALED will be utilized in order to combat Zika virus and eradicate the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Several Miami neighborhoods such as Sunny Isles and Surfside are already using natural and organic insecticides such as ESSENTRIA IC3, which is a safe yet effective alternative. ESSENTRIA IC3 also has no aquatic toxicity, which is very important for our region. Continued education regarding standing water control and spraying at off-peak hours with natural/organic insecticides and larvicides to minimize the risk of exposure to people and pets would also be encouraged and very much appreciated.

I believe it is also important to inform you that your contractor for the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management is not adhering to the scheduled time of spraying posted on the miamidade.gov website. On August 6, 2016, a plane spreading larvicide (BTi) was observed to be flying over water at 10:45 AM, when it was announced by government officials that spraying would be conducted at 6:40 AM.

According to the witness who recorded this incident on his mobile phone, “Saturday morning at 10:45 AM on August 6th 2016, we were attending a function on 31st street, just east of Biscayne Blvd on the water at a property being built when the plane passed overhead four times. Each time spraying over the water and near the buildings then turned inland. There were guests eating and drinking as the mist fell on us and no one understood what it was….”

Spraying so late in the day when people and pets are outside is completely unacceptable and should be looked into immediately to prevent these instances from occurring in the future.

I kindly request that you thoroughly research possible negative effects of NALED and find safer alternative solutions, so that the people and animals of Miami-Dade County, Florida will not be exposed to this dangerous chemical.

Thank you in advance!

List of references:

(1) Neurodevelopmental disorders and prenatal residential proximity to agricultural pesticides: the CHARGE study. Environmental Health Perspectives, Oct, 2014

(2) The effect of trichlorfon and other organophosphates on prenatal brain development in the guinea pig. Neurochem Res, May, 1994

(3) Family pesticide use and childhood brain cancer, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. January, 1993