Risk Assessment Paper
Risk Assessment Paper
University of Phoenix
7/10/2011
Risk Assessment Paper
The use of pesticides is an important decision that thousands of communities face each year. Nobody likes dealing with mosquitos and the diseases they bring so using chemicals and pesticides is an option but with other consequences. Mosquitos carry West Nile Virus that affects the city of Genericville every year with 50 cases projected this year in the city and two fatalities as well. On the other hand, the chemicals proposed for controlling the mosquito population has its own risks. The pesticide Malathion is also dangerous to people if they come in contact with it before it degrades. The potential for citizens of the city being exposed is almost a certainty with many short and long-term risks being unknown. In this risk assessment I will weigh the consequences of each approach being the use of Malathion on the mosquitos and wetlands or not and battle the mosquitos and West Nile Virus. This assessment will include Hazard identification, dose-response, exposure, and risk characterization.
Hazard identification is an important part of learning about pesticides and whether or not to use them. This asks the question; Does exposure to substance caused increased likelihood of adverse health effects such as cancer or birth defects. When planning to use chemicals like Malathion it is important to learn as much as possible about it. Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used to control mosquitos and a variety of insects that attack fruits vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs. (Department of Health, 2009). Malathion is also used indoors to control insects and ticks on pets like cats and dogs. Short-term exposure to high levels of Malathion affects the nervous system causing increased heart rate, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and cramps. I have found no information on long-term effects on humans due to exposure. This doesn’t mean that is none, it means
University of Phoenix
7/10/2011
Risk Assessment Paper
The use of pesticides is an important decision that thousands of communities face each year. Nobody likes dealing with mosquitos and the diseases they bring so using chemicals and pesticides is an option but with other consequences. Mosquitos carry West Nile Virus that affects the city of Genericville every year with 50 cases projected this year in the city and two fatalities as well. On the other hand, the chemicals proposed for controlling the mosquito population has its own risks. The pesticide Malathion is also dangerous to people if they come in contact with it before it degrades. The potential for citizens of the city being exposed is almost a certainty with many short and long-term risks being unknown. In this risk assessment I will weigh the consequences of each approach being the use of Malathion on the mosquitos and wetlands or not and battle the mosquitos and West Nile Virus. This assessment will include Hazard identification, dose-response, exposure, and risk characterization.
Hazard identification is an important part of learning about pesticides and whether or not to use them. This asks the question; Does exposure to substance caused increased likelihood of adverse health effects such as cancer or birth defects. When planning to use chemicals like Malathion it is important to learn as much as possible about it. Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used to control mosquitos and a variety of insects that attack fruits vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs. (Department of Health, 2009). Malathion is also used indoors to control insects and ticks on pets like cats and dogs. Short-term exposure to high levels of Malathion affects the nervous system causing increased heart rate, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, and cramps. I have found no information on long-term effects on humans due to exposure. This doesn’t mean that is none, it means
References: Department of Health. (2009, April). Information Sheet: Malathion and Mosquito Control. Retrieved July 11, 2011, from New York State department of health: http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/2740/ Appendix B