Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Hazards in Mosquito Control Personnel in North Carolina and Virginia, USA

Mosquito control personnel work within health departments, public works, private companies, and other agencies. These essential outdoor workers have highly specialized training and are faced with a variety of potential health and safety hazards (e.g., arthropod bites and stings, exposure to insecticides and other chemicals, working with heavy equipment, noise, heat, solar ultraviolet radiation, slips, trips, and/or falls). Mosquito control personnel undergo employer-provided and other types of training on a variety of topics from regulatory updates to new surveillance and control techniques that are required for safety purposes and to maintain their applicator license. Here, an exploratory baseline survey was conducted among members of the North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control Association (NCMVCA) and the Virginia Mosquito Control Association (VMCA). There was a 28% response rate so results should be interpreted with caution in this pilot study. Most respondents reported utilizing ultra-low volume insecticide application equipment for controlling adult mosquitoes. Backpack sprayers were utilized by less than half of respondents. Those who reported using respirators showed higher concern about insecticide-related health effects than those who did not use respirators. Outdoor workers encounter various potential hazards and utilize several forms of personal protective equipment to reduce risks. This baseline work can be considered a starting point for implementing and strengthening occupational safety and health awareness and preventive measures for mosquito control workers. Knowledge of health and safety hazards can reduce workplace risk.