Gypsy moth spraying during club ride times

[chrisb]

Hi all,

Just noticed that the province is planning on spraying for gypsy moths in the near future, typically between 0500-0730
Link is https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkb ... h-spraying

The claim is that there is no adverse health affect (unless you are a gypsy moth) although it may leave "a musty smell and spray droplets on hard surfaces and windows after the treatment." not sure how bad the musty smell would be in comparison to the smell of "hard work" that a cycling jersey tends to take on...

Anyways, it looks like it will be happening during our ride times so I thought I would pass it on

CB

[tebata]

The gypsy moth aerial spray is centered over Bear Hill Regional Park and is only 182 ha. I doubt that this will affect anyone's ride unless you are riding along Brookleigh Road. Joggers or rowers might enter the drift zone along the north shore of Elk Lake. See maps and more information on the BC Govt gypsy moth web site at www.gov.bc.ca/gypsymoth. Please pass on the word to anyone using Elk Lake Park or Bear Hill Regional Park. Updated spray information is posted on the Pat Bay hwy message boards and on our 24 hour info line 1-866-917-5999. You can contact me directly at 250-387-8739 for more information.

Tim Ebata, BCFLNRO

[Rolf]

That's some pretty awesome, proactive, government communications voodoo, Tim! Bravo.

[Alan]

I like how the BC government basically says "Nothing to see here" in terms of any potential health concerns relate to the chemical they use to kill the Gypsy Moths, but the Oregon government, in this report https://public.health.oregon.gov/Health ... facts.aspx gave a bit more detail.

Highlights? Participants in a community survey done before and after an application of a Btk-based formulation reported increases in the following symptoms after the spray: sleep problems; irritated throat; stomach discomfort; itchy nose; dizziness; diarrhea; gas discomfort; extra heartbeats; and difficulty concentrating.

The key caveat:
The community survey’s authors stated that they could not confirm that these self-reported symptoms were due to the applications nor did they confirm that the symptoms had been diagnosed by healthcare providers. They state that there was no reported increase, by the people surveyed, in visits to either medical practitioners or alternative healthcare providers.

So, all is good!

[Rolf]

Participants ... reported increases in the following symptoms after the spray: sleep problems; irritated throat; stomach discomfort; itchy nose; dizziness; diarrhea; gas discomfort; extra heartbeats; and difficulty concentrating.

I experience all of these symptoms when I have too much coffee. Therefore, coffee must contain insecticide.

See: everyone's a scientist!