SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Hundreds of Northern California residents have reported health
problems since the state began anti-moth pesticide spraying in
September.
Residents of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties filed 330 formal
complaints to the state related to the light brown apple moth insecticide
spraying, and about 300 more complained to doctors or public interest groups,
said a report by the California Alliance to stop the Spray, the Santa Cruz
(Calif.) Sentinel reported Sunday.
Citizens said the pheromone spray,
CheckMate LBAM-F, caused scratchy throats and eyes, respiratory problems and
skin rashes, the newspaper said.
The state Department of Food and
Agriculture said the pesticide, which is a synthetic female moth pheromone
intended to disrupt mating patterns, is only harmful at exposures much higher
than the amount contained in the spray.
Without the spray, the more than
10,000 moths in Santa Cruz County could destroy millions of dollars worth of
property, department officials said.
