This is a full version of NEA’s reply issued to the media agency; published in TODAY Online, 2 Oct 2019.
We thank Ms June Cheah Nicholls for her feedback (‘Dengue Fight: When is too much fogging unsafe?’, 24 Sep 2019).
The National Environment Agency (NEA) emphasises source reduction of the Aedes mosquito as the primary focus of our dengue control efforts.
NEA has formulated guidelines on fogging practices, which is shared with the pest control industry. Fogging should be used judiciously, and not as a routine mosquito control measure. Fogging is recommended where there is an increased presence of adult mosquitoes, or necessitated by the need to eliminate infective mosquitoes immediately during a dengue or other mosquito-borne disease outbreak.
In such situations where fogging has to be conducted, it is imperative that all fogging operations are to be notified to NEA in advance, via the E-fogging Submission System. Advance notice to inform the public of upcoming fogging operations must also be done by the pest control operator, managing agent or premise owner. Pest control personnel are to be licensed and trained to handle pesticides. They are also required to follow proper procedures to protect the public and the environment.
The fogging pesticides permitted for use by NEA do not have a long residual effect on the environment, and the concentrations used are low and deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). Information on the scope of work for mosquito control at different premise types, and its frequency, can be found at our NEA website (https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pest-control/mosquito-control).
Tony Teo (Mr)
Director, Environmental Public Health Operations
National Environment Agency