After my residence was fogged earlier this year, I developed a severe sore throat and sinus inflammation. By the next morning I was hoarse. I had no voice for 3 days.

I teach for a living and this experience led to a loss of income.

Furthermore, I can not afford to lose my voice for 3 days nor to be affected by Chikungunya, Zika or Dengue.

My teaching job requires the use of my voice, eyes and hands 7 days a week.

If I do not meet this requirement I will breach my contract and lose my job.

In conclusion, I have made my decision based on the risks which I am willing to take to my health, our economy and our ecosystem.

This decision has been informed by what I have researched and experienced.

I am requesting that the Ministry of Health stop their fogging with diesel/malathion where I reside.

As an alternative I will work within my community to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.

I also think that each of us should do our personal research about what we experience after our communities are fogged with malathion/diesel. This is valid information.

Some of us may be more sensitive than others but this shouldn't stop us from paying attention to these chemicals and the method for fogging delivery.

Considering that according to WHO - these chemicals "probably" increase our risk to cancer I recommend that we consider alternatives to diesel fogging with malathion in Barbados.

There are alternatives which are economically viable.

*If you would also like to have the Ministry of Health stop their fogging with diesel/malathion near your home, you can email us your name/parish or just your parish. with the subject line - Stop it.

*If you would like to have the use of malathion and diesel fogging banned please send us an email with the title - Ban it.

We will submit our letter with all names collected by September 30, 2016.

Your name will remain confidential however we will collect data on the number of people in each parish willing to stop the fogging in their communities.

Please share your personal experience of whether or how the practice of fogging has affected you in the last year or over time – bettercaribbean@gmail.com

Or please share this with someone .

Thank You

- Ariana Marshall Ph.D

Environmental science, policy, risk management and informed public engagement is a thing.

Apparently, based on my personal choices, work experiences and qualifications it is something which I value.