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Indoor Spraying of a Dangerous Pesticide in Mississippi

Health problem

  • Methyl parathion, a pesticide for outdoor-use only, was sprayed inside more than 2,600 homes in PascagoulaChart showing exposure of persons in areas of Mississippi to methyl parathion as a result of illegal spraying and Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

  • Previously, two children had died from indoor spraying.

  • Many people did not know whether their house had been sprayed or their children had been exposed to the pesticide.

Lab response

  • The lab developed a method to measure the pesticide in urine to determine exposure—no other lab had this capability.

  • The lab measured the pesticide in the urine of over 1500 persons believed to be exposed to the pesticide.

Health impact

  • This lab test was the only way to measure individual exposure to this toxic substance.

  • Health officials used the results to determine who was exposed, the levels of exposure, and which homes should be evacuated.

  • Health officials will remeasure the pesticide levels in persons whose homes are remediated to be sure levels have decreased.

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