Anvil (insecticide)
Encyclopedia
Anvil is an insecticide
widely employed to combat West Nile Virus
, a mosquito-borne disease identified in approximately 10,000 residents of the United States from 1999-2006. It is sprayed in Chicago and many other cities. Sumithrin, a synthetic pyrethroid
, is the main active ingredient.
Anvil is applied aerially via fixed-wing and rotary aircraft or via ground applications (truck/ATV/backpack) using ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers. According to the Anvil Technical Bulletin published in January 2006, these sprayers create a fine mist of drops that average 17 micrometres in size -- smaller than the size of a pinhead. A very small amount of active ingredient is used; about 6 tenths of an ounce of active ingredient is used to treat an acre (4.2 kg/km²).
The active ingredients in Anvil break down quickly in sunlight and do not bioaccumulate. There are no reentry precautions for Anvil.
Anvil has been tested in 43 field trials in the United States against 30 mosquito species.
In 2003, Anvil was used to treat more than a million acres (4,000 km²) in Larimer County, Colorado during a West Nile Virus outbreak. According to the Anvil Technical Bulletin, this application reduced mosquito populations by approximately 80 percent.
In 2006, Anvil was used in Massachusetts after Governor Mitt Romney declared a state of emergency after Eastern Equine Encephalitis was identified in large quantities in mosquito populations.
Adding to the controversy is the participation in the public debate of CEI, a think tank founded by the oil industry which has also worked to spin the media to confusion over global warming.
This chemical is an endocrine disruptor and toxic to bees and fish.
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
widely employed to combat West Nile Virus
West Nile virus
West Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic...
, a mosquito-borne disease identified in approximately 10,000 residents of the United States from 1999-2006. It is sprayed in Chicago and many other cities. Sumithrin, a synthetic pyrethroid
Pyrethroid
A pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums . Pyrethroids now constitute a major commercial household insecticides...
, is the main active ingredient.
Anvil is applied aerially via fixed-wing and rotary aircraft or via ground applications (truck/ATV/backpack) using ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers. According to the Anvil Technical Bulletin published in January 2006, these sprayers create a fine mist of drops that average 17 micrometres in size -- smaller than the size of a pinhead. A very small amount of active ingredient is used; about 6 tenths of an ounce of active ingredient is used to treat an acre (4.2 kg/km²).
The active ingredients in Anvil break down quickly in sunlight and do not bioaccumulate. There are no reentry precautions for Anvil.
Anvil has been tested in 43 field trials in the United States against 30 mosquito species.
History
Sumithrin was registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1975 and Anvil is registered for ground and aerial application in outdoor residential and recreational areas. Anvil is manufactured and distributed by Clarke Mosquito Control. Clarke Mosquito Control Anvil PageIn 2003, Anvil was used to treat more than a million acres (4,000 km²) in Larimer County, Colorado during a West Nile Virus outbreak. According to the Anvil Technical Bulletin, this application reduced mosquito populations by approximately 80 percent.
In 2006, Anvil was used in Massachusetts after Governor Mitt Romney declared a state of emergency after Eastern Equine Encephalitis was identified in large quantities in mosquito populations.
Controversy
No-spray protests have called for more organic methods of preventing West Nile due to concerns about the health and environmental effects of the spray as well as recent studies showing the ineffectiveness of the spray.Adding to the controversy is the participation in the public debate of CEI, a think tank founded by the oil industry which has also worked to spin the media to confusion over global warming.
This chemical is an endocrine disruptor and toxic to bees and fish.