Dear Editor,

Having been affected by almost three weeks of air pollution from the recent fire at the Riverton dump, my community was fogged on March 1, 2012 at approximately 7.15 pm, presumably on the instructions of a government entity - and presumably using malathion.

It is unconscionable that anyone should add to the toxic load in the air by fogging citizens at a time of day when they would very likely be home, perhaps even having a meal, without any warning whatsoever.

Spraying to control mosquitoes may indeed be necessary, but at the very least, citizens should be given advance notice so they can leave the location if they so desire, along with information about the chemical to be used. To spray without people's knowledge or regard for their vulnerabilities is an utter disgrace, considering what we now know about the health risks of long-term use of such chemicals.

Hopefully, the new minister of health will put an immediate stop to this dangerous practice.

Diana McCaulay

Kingston 10