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August 14, 2001

DEBI ROSE CALLS FOR A HALT ON SPRAYING CHEMICALS
"WE NEED TO EMPLOY A RATIONAL APPROACH
TO DEALING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES."
"Spraying Makes People Sick."

STATEN ISLAND—New York City Council Candidate Debi Rose today called for a halt to the chemical spraying that New York City began yesterday in Staten Island to combat the West Nile virus, saying that spraying caused or aggravated health problems for people and was doing little to threaten the mosquitoes that carry the virus.

"We need a rational approach to dealing with public health issues," Ms. Rose said. "The chemicals that are sprayed trigger asthma, pollute the air, and hurt the quality of life for thousands of people in Staten Island who are forced to shut off their air conditioners in the middle of a heat wave so the city can spray."

Ms. Rose said that any techniques to combat West Nile should be grounded in sound science and a commitment to using the least invasive measures possible.

"I would rather see money spent on educating people how to reduce exposure to mosquitoes than on the heavy equipment and chemicals involved in spraying," Ms. Rose said. "I realize that taking a community-based approach may not be as exciting to some as squirting chemicals, but I believe it would be far more effective in the long run."