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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
hi all.... as the resident preggo neuropharmacologist, I'll give you the technical mumbo jumbo and a translation into real english
TECHNICAL STUFF:
Pyrethroids (ex. Resmethrin) are axonic poisons that work by keeping the sodium channels open in the neuronal membranes of insects. The sodium channel is a small hole through which sodium ions are permitted to enter the axon and cause excitation. As the nerves cannot de-excite, the insect is paralyzed.
Pyrethroids are usually combined with piperonyl butoxide, a known inhibitor of key microsomal oxidase enzymes. This prevents these enzymes from clearing the pyrethroid from the body of the insect, and assures the pyrethroid will be lethal and not merely a paralyzing agent.
SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?:
Sodium channels, along with potassium channels, are the 2 most basic channels responsible for any nerve signal in insects AND OUR bodies. To block either of them completely throughout our bodies would stop our breathing and hearts, and all movement ASAP. This is how the insects dies. They suffocate becuase they can't breathe. Problem is, we have the same channels, and WE ARE MORE DELICATE THAN BUGS. So, if we get an equivalent dose a bug gets (relative to our size), it's bye bye to us too.
The bugs and our own defense against this stuff are enzymes that break the toxin down quickly. BUT, piperonyl butoxide, also included in this spray, prevents that enzyme from working.
(you should all know that bugs are the biological equivalent of an abbacus. we're like a new laptop. There is nothing that would destroy an abbacus that wouldn't aslo destroy a laptop, becuase laptops are much more delicate and have many more parts that could break. An abbacus only has several rods, beads, and a frame. it can get wet, sit on a magnet... you get the point.)
I'm right now reading a pyrethroid review (Neurobehavioral toxicology of pyrethroid insecticides in adult animals: a critical review. Wolansky MJ, Harrill JA.) that discusses in depth the delicate balance between finding a toxic insect dose that has 'limited off-target species toxicity' (ie. kills bugs not dogs, cats, rats, and people). Frankly, the conclusion of this paper is that there are consistently observed neurotoxic symptoms, such as sluggishness, lack of motor coordination...you get the idea, of mammals (they studied rats and mice) at doses that are effective to kill bugs. So it DOES affect big animals, despite what the pesticide companies say.
SO WHY DOES SPRAYING MY NEIGHBORHOOD NOT KILL ALL PEOPLE ALONG WITH ALL BUGS? simply becuase we're larger, and it takes a lot more spray to give us a toxic dose. Also, these compounds are somewhat more toxic to insect sodium channels than mammalian channels... (they DO react with both, though). And they tell us, not the bugs, to go inside. But that doesn't mean that these compounds are harmless (as the review I'm reading confirms).
IS THIS SAFE? well, they'll say yes, and I say hell no. everyone is being exposed to low doses of a known toxin that is similar to a nerve gas agent, along with a 2nd compound that enhances its toxicity.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF? I LIVE IN THE SPRAY ZONE!
Turn off your car and home airconditioner. cover the air conditioner units. Avoid the outdoors as much as possible for a couple days (until it rains). Hose down your home, mailbox, driveway, and car this weekend. Using something sudzy (like windex hose attachment or some similar detergent( is even better, since most of these chemicals are oils, and simple water does not wash it away very well on its own.
Most of all, keep pets indoors and wash your hands and their feet when you go inside. Also take off your shoes, so it doesn't track everywhere.
A tad neurotic? yep. I'm not ashamed to say. But honestly, this is what I would do. After everything is cleaned up, you will have the peace of mind that your home is no longer coated in neurotoxins.. I think it's worth the effort....
HTH's everyone!!!!
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Posted 9/4/08 2:40 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
This is great information, thank you!!
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| Posted 9/4/08 2:43 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
Thank you, I agree!!! Great advice. 
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| Posted 9/4/08 2:49 PM |
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computergirl
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3118 total posts
Name:
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
Wow thank you! Great info!
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| Posted 9/4/08 2:49 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
I forgot about all of the rain on sat. that will DEFINITELY help.
just make sure if you guys are cleaning anything up this weekend, that it's your DHs, not YOU doing the clean-up.
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| Posted 9/4/08 2:52 PM |
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ESM980
LIF Infant
Member since 6/06 251 total posts
Name:
Eleanor
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
ty so much
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| Posted 9/4/08 4:45 PM |
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junebride06
love my boys!
Member since 2/08 3181 total posts
Name:
Robin
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
wow that was great, thanks for explaining, I was wondering about running the AC too since it pulls in the outside air, so just confirms it's best not to use it.
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| Posted 9/4/08 5:10 PM |
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ReiRei13
Life is Good!!
Member since 1/08 6460 total posts
Name:
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
YOU ROCK
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| Posted 9/4/08 6:35 PM |
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sweetbabydreams
My Dream come true!
Member since 12/07 2205 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
what about central AC units. DO i need to cover this unit outside? i cant find a cover for it around the house. And should the unit be off.
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| Posted 9/4/08 8:00 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
I'd just cover it.... cut some hefty bags up and tape them... it doesn't have to be anything sophistocated... just remember to take it off before you turn the unit on!
(with my preggo brain, I know I'd forget that  )
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| Posted 9/4/08 9:19 PM |
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Danamz
LIF Adult
Member since 6/06 1978 total posts
Name:
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
Where exactly are they spraying? I live in North/west Suffolk.
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| Posted 9/4/08 9:57 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
Posted by Danamz
Where exactly are they spraying? I live in North/west Suffolk.
'Scourge' pesticide... it contains the 2 active ingredients I discuss in the original post.
I think it's a south shore thing, though.... I'm in port jeff, and I don't think the north shore towns are affected... it's mainly south nassau and a few south suffolk towns, if I understood it correctly......
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| Posted 9/4/08 10:13 PM |
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Celt
~~~~~~~~~~
Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
I'm nowhere near the "spray zone" but can I just say I love your helpful posts, and I love all of your analogies!! 
And I might be a laptop, but I'm the slowest, clunkiest laptop on the market right now... 
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| Posted 9/4/08 10:17 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Neuropharmacology 101: for those who want to know what that spray actually DOES
Posted by colette
I'm nowhere near the "spray zone" but can I just say I love your helpful posts, and I love all of your analogies!!
And I might be a laptop, but I'm the slowest, clunkiest laptop on the market right now...
I'm the heaviest laptop oh, and my harddrive malfunctions periodically 
processor still works well, mercifully!
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| Posted 9/4/08 10:18 PM |
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