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Metro Changes Mosquito Spray Strategy

Plan Reduces Number Of Times Neighborhoods Sprayed

POSTED: 11:07 am CDT April 8, 2008
UPDATED: 5:59 pm CDT April 8, 2008

The Metro Health Department approved a new plan on Tuesday to spray for mosquitoes, and the plan made some big changes.

Video: Metro Changes Mosquito Spraying Plan

When residents see the trucks spraying, they’ll have no choice but to let them spray.

Health officials said that so far, West Nile virus hasn’t caused a problem, so the routine spraying isn’t necessary but trucks will still spray in the event of a threat to public health.

Some residents said that while the plan reduces spraying it also reduces restrictions.

Nashville resident Elizabeth Rice said her concerns about West Nile virus outweigh her concerns about the method or the spray Nashville uses to kill mosquitoes.

"I’ve never had any concern that there’s a risk to my children or a bother to my family because of the spraying," she said.

Opponents of the new plan said that the new rules won’t exempt 900 people who have opted out of the spray plan. Opponents also said the new plan won’t require trucks to stop spraying while a pedestrian is present, which could cause health risks.

"This would be very dangerous for me. I have had times when I felt like I could not breathe, where my entire face has gone numb when I have been exposed to pesticides in the past," said Rachel Sumner.

When Metro does decide to spray, residents will be notified before the trucks come into the area.

Health officials said that because of the reduced spraying, people may see more mosquitoes and should remember to wear mosquito repellent when outdoors.


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