Mosquitoes cause immediate hazards to human beings. For the pesticide, it is required only that human beings not be exposed to the application process. The substance degrades to harmless soon after application. It could furthermore reduce the mosquito population by 90%, which also means a like reduction in WNV hazards to local inhabitants and tourists. c. Exposure

As mentioned above, the effects of exposure are immediate. Exposure to either mosquito carriers of WNV and the pesticide during and immediately after application should be entirely avoided. Education regarding pesticide exposure is easier to control than mosquito exposure.

d. Risk Characterization

Another concern voiced by opponents to the pesticide option is that an information program may not reach all inhabitants. Some of the poorer community may for example not have televisions, radios, or the Internet so that such vital information can reach them. This is however easily mitigated by door-to-door visits, as well as pamphlets to the community. It is unlikely that an education program for mosquitoes would be as effective.

It is also found unlikely that the environment would suffer any long-term effects, although it is admitted that this is not an absolute certainty. The risk to human beings is minimal,...

Conclusions and Recommendations
It is concluded that, when comparing the risk of WNV with the risks associated with Malathion, the former carries greater risks for human beings, although none for the environment. The latter carries no projected risk for the environment, although this cannot be estimated with certainty. It carries very low risks for human beings if the correct precautions are taken.

I therefore recommend that the pesticide program be implemented with due consideration to certain conditions. These conditions include that, prior to each application, the city council should ensure that all residents and tourists within the city at the time of application is aware of the schedule, the risk, and how to minimize the risk to themselves. A thorough education program should be launched before the plan is implemented.

In general, it is believed that fewer risks are associated with eradicating the majority of the mosquito population than allowing it to continue infecting the town's inhabitants and its visitors. In terms of the economy, implementing a pesticide program will assure visitors that they are highly unlikely to contract WMV. My vote is therefore in favor of the pesticide.