Dangers of Insect Repellents
With the looming threat of such diseases as West Nile Virus, encephalitis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, proper protection from biting and stinging insects when outdoors is a major concern of many people. The common answer is to dowse our skin and clothing with insect repellent. But, what are the health risks associated with common insect repellents?
Protection Versus Risk
Insect repellents are valuable for protection of exposed skin from nasty mosquitoes, ticks and other unwelcome pests while enjoying outdoor activities. However, some insect repellents actually pose health concerns that you should be aware of before applying them to yourself or your children.
DEET, The Active Ingredient
The majority of insect repellent brands being sold contain the chemical DEET, or N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, as it is chemically known, as their active ingredient. Currently there are about 39 companies manufacturing over 140 brands of insect repellent containing DEET in the United States alone, making it the predominant variety. These repellents can be found with varying percentages of the pesticide, and generally, the greater the amount, the greater the potential for harmful effects.
Health Concerns Surrounding DEET
The Duke University Pharmacology Department conducted a study in 2002 that showed damage to brain cells in some laboratory animals due to constant, routine exposure to DEET based insect repellents. The study went on to conclude that persistent exposure to insect repellents containing DEET could lead to symptoms such as frequent headaches, loss of memory, fatigue and respiratory problems. According to the testing, children are at an even greater risk because of their skin's ability to readily absorb the chemicals into the body. A 2001 Human and Experimental Toxicology report revealed children becoming ill after DEET exposure and suggested it was not safe for them in any amount.
Manufacturers of DEET have disagreed with the Duke findings and point out the testing by the Environmental Protection Agency has found the chemical to be safe at all dosage levels for humans when used according to label directions. However, there have actually been very few studies conducted on the long-term effects of insect repellents. One of the problems in determining health issues lies in the fact that symptoms often do not show up for months or years. One particular long-term concern is DEET's role in the development of cancer cells.
DEET Alternatives
Not all insect repellents contain DEET, but rather contain natural ingredients such as oil of lemon eucalyptus and soybean oil. The drawback to these products is the relatively short span of protection. Also, these ingredients are not without their own risks. Eucalyptus oils are poisonous and can cause skin or eye irritation. Most experts agree that these types of insect repellents should not be used on children under 3 years of age.
Use Only As Directed
As with any consumer product, insect repellents should only be used as recommended by the manufacturer. It is important to follow all warnings and precautions on the product label. Insect repellents should be used only as absolutely necessary on younger children, and never on an infant. Insect repellents are the same as insecticides and pesticides and should be treated as such. Inhaling these mildly toxic chemical fumes could trigger adverse side effects for anyone who is currently on other medications.
With the limited amount of medical data available on the harmful effects of insect repellents, it would be wise to err on the side of safety when choosing to apply these chemicals to yourself or your children.
Herbal Alternatives
If you mix a few drops of citronella oil into 4 ounces of an unscented hand lotion, it makes an effective, short-term insect repellent.
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