Assignment: Risk Assessment

Assignment: Risk Assessment

The opposition to the pesticide application debate states that there could be a risk to the health of the general population if not properly educated or informed on the city’s use of the pesticide Malathion. The group also argues that Malathion can have harmful effects on the ecosystem and beneficial insects. Alternatively, proponents to the Malathion issue make valid arguments with the way that they proposes the use of cautionary steps when making use of the pesticide Malathion will reduce the possible health risks though awareness and education associated with exposure to the pesticide.
    The two main questions that need to be answered before I can vote “yes” to Malathion are:
1.) Do the risk related to the use of Malathion to the general public; environment and wildlife reduce the risk of contracting the West Nile Virus?
2.) Are there any other alternative methods available for controlling the mosquito population that pose less harm to the three elements: public health, environment and wildlife preservation?
If the use of Malathion is voted down, the city council still has a responsibility to seeking alternatives to mosquito control. More research will be necessary to find suitable alternative mosquito control methods.
    The things that need to be weighed out to make this type of decision are the effects to humans. In small doses it has been founded that Malathion poses no unreasonable risk to humans but in higher doses such as that of agricultural workers or people who live in close proximity to areas in which Malathion is used are more likely to inhale or possibly ingest the pesticide that could result in possible damage to the nervous system causing side effects from headache and nausea to serious illness or even death (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2009).
    The effects on the environment such as drinking water and other insects and wildlife that makes up the ecosystem of the wetlands where the majority of the Malathion...