Fogging spray - Caribbean at Keppel Bay - Singapore

[apringle]

Hello,

We're considering a move to Singapore and I really like the Caribbean at Keppel Bay. I'm trying to avoid condos that use fogging in a futile attempt to eradicate the mosquitos as I'm studying these chemicals in my PhD and they are very toxic to babies/young children (I have both).

Does anyone know of Caribbean does fogging? Anyone know of any great condos that would be an under 1/2 hour bus or MRT to the CBD across the water from Marina Bay that DON'T do fogging?

Also, do you all just fly out of the country when he Indo fires hit each September?

Thanks! I'm sure I'll have a million more questions as things unfolds.

[MyFriendsCallMeOh]

All condos fog in Singapore, dengue is a real threat and it's killing more people every year. They also fog public areas and I have friends who live in houses where the landlord fogs too. The haze can go on for months and months, I left in June 2013 and had had 2 months of haze by then, it went on all summer, no point leaving, just try to mitigate the risks by staying in, using air purifiers etc. When you live in Singapore, you are just thankful that you're not in shanghai and you can see your hand in front of your face.....

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

They do and they should.
It's like the vaccine debate. It is a matter of public policy can't bevleft to individual choice.
Private owners fog too in detached houses and the government sends inspectors regularly to make sure they do.

[flymo79]

Watching with interest

[Singaporeslings]

As others said - there's no opting out of the fogging.
Haze - both DH & I work so don't have the option to leave. It was pretty bad in 2015 & 2013 but nothing in 2014. Just have to make do & be very glad it's only a few weeks out of year. But some people do leave for a bit to get a break though if that's an option for you.

[apringle]

The Singapore government actually has a big platform to educate the condos and homeowners that fogging does not stop the mosquitos - nor stop the spread of dengue (as the stats show the highest instances have occurred in the last decade, yet oddly people are not making the (dis)onnection that it is not effective). Ridding areas of the stagnant water they breed in is most effective. Meanwhile, the citizens drink, swim and bathe in pesticide laden waters as they do not break down in the environment - and are endocrine disrupters (the focus of my PhD) that effect unborn, newborn and little children the most - building up in their fat tissues and causing hormonal illnesses and reproductive cancers at times in our lives where we burn fat stores and the chemicals go into our bloodstream (development in womb, puberty, pregnancy and menopause). So yes people like to use the dengue vs fogging argument but really the latter is ineffective for the former and actually can cause a host of more serious problems in a delayed fashion so people sadly don't realise the connection (thyroid and metabolism illnesses, reproductive difficulties and reproductive cancers). So now you can understand my concern! Sigh, depressing isn't it. Do they really basically fog the entire island? Every condo and most public areas? It must be privately owned public spaces (eg around shopping malls?) as the government has been quite clear on its stance against fogging.

[apringle]

Interestingly though - despite the NEA advocating against fogging, I see the law (my PhD is in chemical law/environmental finance law) allows for the government to enforce fogging of areas they are concerned about: 21.—(1) The Director-General may, by notice in writing, require the owner or occupier of any premises, vessel or aircraft or any pond, well, pool or other body of water, to carry out the spraying or fogging thereof with any form of pesticide within the time specified in such notice.

So it looks like the fogging is there to stay. Boo!

[apringle]

In contrast, here is a statement from the NEA...sadly what they are neglecting to realise is that although each individual spray of fog may be at a "safe" level, as these chemicals do not break down in the environment, the constant and widespread fogging of Singapore is causing a massive amount of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to cover the nation and exposing the population. Unfortunately, the WHO is only beginning to focus on the effects of EDCs and has not yet set "safe" levels in terms of exposure. Most "safe" levels refer to maximum thresholds that cause cancer.

[guihailin]

Sounds like Singapore needs you. Good luck with your job search. When you're there you can work really hard and make things better. Mosquito is such a big topic.

[apringle]

yes husband already has an offer in hand but i'm trying to determine if I would just constantly have "the fear" from the humidity/heat, fires and pesticides while we're there!

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

Many instititions in singapore are big on developping their corporate social reponsability these days.
Go pitch your research to the big landlords like capitaland, Keppel corp etc....and start lobbying!
Our health centre ( in hong kong) has just emailed directives re: ZIKA and the single most effective prevention tool is remiving all stagnant water, not fogging!