During a dengue outbreak, the health team plans larval source reduction in household water storage containers that cannot be emptied. Which larvicide is recommended for use in potable water?

• A Malathion 5 percent solution
• B Pyrethrum extract 2 percent
• C DDT 50 percent wettable powder
• D Temephos (Abate) at 1 ppm ✓

Explanation

Temephos is an organophosphate larvicide with very low mammalian toxicity at the recommended concentration of 1 ppm, which makes it safe for adding to drinking water storage containers such as drums and cement tanks. Malathion and pyrethrum are adulticides used in space spraying, and DDT is an indoor residual insecticide; none of these is approved for application into water meant for consumption.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.