The term battle ground state has a different meaning in Florida as the fight against Zika grows.
The state continues to aggressively combat the spread of Zika through mosquito control efforts but Friday's Miami Herald raised the question; Is the pesticide they're using as dangerous as the virus itself?
Friday, the governor confirmed three more cases of locally transmitted Zika.
The front lines are still Miami’s Wynwood district where there is aggressive mosquito control underway.
“What they’re doing, it looks like it’s working. What they’re using has been used all across the state,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott after a Zika roundtable in Delray Beach Friday morning.
Miami-Dade uses an insecticide called naled to fight the spread of Zika.
That decision came after recommendations from the CDC and the state health department.
Palm Beach County mosquito control also uses naled for aerial sprays, but not to specifically target Zika.
However, some studies and even a quick CDC search, show some scary health risks associated with the pesticide, especially as they relate to our nervous system.
“You don’t want to go out and eat naled,” said Dr. Bill Louda, who also says you shouldn’t be paranoid about potential reactions.
He’s an environmental biogiochemist who believes naled is not a major risk in how it’s being used which is aerial sprays in ultra low volumes (ULV.)
“Like I teach in my environmental chemistry classes, you’ve got to balance risk verses benefit,” said Louda. “Is it worth a little bit of risk to kill the mosquitos and make sure your getting rid of Zika.”
Louda believes it is worth that little risk. He says the risks associated with naled the way it’s being used don’t compare to risk associated with Zika and the dangers the virus poses to pregnant woman.
If you are in an area where more than usual spraying is taking place, Louda says just use a little extra precaution like taking more showers and staying in doors during the sprays.
In Palm Beach County, mosquito control is using a different insecticide to combat Zika and not through aerial spraying, rather through hand foggers.
