What is checkmate®?
Checkmate® is an insecticide based on a pheromone created by Suterra®. It is used to disrupt the breeding cycle of light brown apple. In 2007, checkmate® attracted the attention of many, especially those living in the San Francisco Bay area, when some of these moths that come from Australia and New Zealand were found in agricultural areas. In response to this, the California government said that the presence of moths could significantly damage fruit crops and design air spraying checkmate® to eradicate the problem. Despite the protests, there was a spray in the Santa Cruz region, and unfortunately, many diseases and skin conditions were reported. Those who advocate more sensitives to remove pests were very concerned about the negative environmental impacts and people caused by checkmate®. The ingredients include ammonium and phosphates of sodium, polyvinyl alcohol and benzisothin. For example, phosphates are known for irritated skin and eyes and polyvinyl alcohol is considered karcinogenic. Benzisothiozoline has not received many studies, but what there is a small study suggests that this substance can kill certain types of algae and invertebrates. Another component, butyl hydroxytoluene, was associated with symptoms of asthma and cancer.
As a result of the disease caused by the first air spraying checkmate®, the response to continuing spraying and state senators, such as Carole Migden, sponsored accounts recommending temporary moratorium during spraying until further studies can be conducted. The thoracic brown apple moth in California was considered an agricultural state of emergency, although there is evidence that crop damage may not be as significant as previously designed. In fact, in areas where the moth is proliferated, for example in Australia, farmers require some damage to crops but not a decimation of crops that would require annot a situation. In addition to some potentially mild crop damage, the moth does not represent any problems for people and the Australian agricultural industry is robust.
The growing number of environmental farmers also expresses concerns. When an aerial spray of products such as checkmate® is applied, it may no longer be able to claim that their production is organic. This can significantly damage the organic industry that makes other profits in an organic way.
, however, the main concern comes from people who feel that their health has been or could be significantly influenced by the checkmate® spray, especially Since, there was no extensive product testing and because the manufacturer admits that large amounts could be danger to older people, children and people with chronic disease. After spraying in Santa Cruz, about 600 people were treated for respiratory symptoms and skin and eye irritation. While spraying can be temporarily stopped if the air spray program could continue, the pesticide would spray to someOlik districts of Bay Area for five years, in an effort to erad the light brown apple. Many argue that such a program is unauthorized due to the lack of available research on the effects of these chemicals on human health and the environment.