This video segment from 'Greater Boston' examines the issue of spraying pesticides to combat disease-carrying insects. Massachusetts had been planning to use aerial spraying to control the spread of eastern equine encephalitis, a disease spread by mosquitoes. Ron Maribett, an organic farmer, said that if the state sprayed pesticides it would harm his business. The state said it would avoid spraying organic farms, but Maribett would have to bring livestock inside for 48 hours and avoid harvesting crops for two days. Another resident of the area believed that the spraying was necessary, but that farmers should be compensated for any losses. Includes background essay and discussion questions. [1:41]

Concepts

organic farming, pesticides

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Additional Tags

pbs learningmedia, pbs learningmedia: environmental public health: greater boston: can organic farms and mosquito control coexist?, aerial spraying, equine encephalitis, insecticides and pesticides

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)
• The intended use for this resource is Instructional