What to Do If You Get Sprayed By West Nile Pesticides

BROOKLYN, NY — Another round of Brooklyn neighborhoods — including parts of Bed-Stuy, Boerum Hill, Bushwick, Williamsburg, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Downtown Brooklyn — are set to be doused with anti-West Nile virus pesticides on Tuesday night.

From 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, spray trucks will be driving through neighborhood streets and bathing everything in their path in a fine mist of Anvil 10+10, a synthetic pesticide that kills mosquitoes possibly carrying the West Nile virus. (Or, "in case of inclement weather, the application will be delayed until Wednesday, Aug. 23 during the same hours," according to the NYC Health Department.)

If you already knew about all this, you likely planned to hunker down, shut your windows tight and set your air conditioner to re-circulate mode Tuesday night, as city health officials advise.

But if you're not subscribed to Patch's email alerts for your NYC neighborhood and didn't get word until it was too late, perhaps you're finding yourself face-to-face with a spray truck, mercilessly misting its Anvil all over you as if you were a giant, human-shaped mosquito.

For all you scenario No. 2 folks, here’s what to do next.

Don’t panic. According to the DOH, the Anvil is applied at a very low dosage rate and breaks down rapidly upon exposure to sunlight and/or water. Although some activists (and experts) believe the DOH downplays the negative effects of anti-West Nile pesticides on city residents, the treatment is technically EPA-approved for use in populated areas. When sprayed properly, as the DOH plans to do Wednesday night, federal health officials do not believe it poses health risks.

Wash any skin or clothes exposed to the pesticide. Simple soap and water will take care of any lingering traces.

Also wash any food, children’s toys or other outdoor equipment exposed to the spray. Again, simple soap and water will do.

Still panicking? If all is thoroughly washed and you’re still having serious physical or psychological concerns about the spraying, feel free to consult your doctor. Never hurts.

For a bunch more tips on coping with West Nile season — and to stay up to date on West Nile traces, cases, pesticides, etc. — visit the DOH website.