Subject: mosquitoe repellant
Date: Jun 19 09:49:33 2000
From: Ken Steffenson - ksteffenson at watoxics.org


Hi Bob-

This is an issue I have recently looked into. In fact I just finished
writing an article about mosquito repellants and kids that I think
will be appearing in next month's issue of Northwest Baby & Child.

I don't think I should send my article until after it goes to press,
but here are a few points.

First, check out the current issue of Consumer Reports. They rated
mosquito/tick repellants, and tested several that don't contain the
most-common and fairly toxic ingredient DEET.

Well, this is easier to paste in a bit of my article:

"Many mosquito repellants contain the active ingredient DEET
(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). This chemical is very effective in
repelling mosquitoes and some other insects. However, it is not
without risk, especially to young children. The chemical absorbs
through the skin, and use of even low-concentration DEET product for
prolonged periods on children has caused skin, eye, and mouth
irritation, encephalopathy, headaches, slurred speech, convulsions,
and in very rare cases death. Accidental ingestion can cause these
effects and others to the central nervous system.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends products with no more than
10% DEET for use on children and no DEET on children under 3. Some
products contain up to 100% DEET, so read labels carefully if you
decide to use a DEET product.

There are numerous products on the market that use natural plant oils
to repel mosquitoes. Recent testing by Consumer Reports magazine
found that some are just as effective as DEET at keeping mosquitoes
away. These products' repellency usually won't last as long, so they
might have to be applied more frequently. But avoiding the potential
hazards of DEET makes this a minor inconvenience.

Some non-DEET products found effective were: "Blocker," with 2%
soybean oil lasted 4 hours; "Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus
IR3535," with 7.5% IR3535 (an ingredient used in Europe for 20 years
with no substantial adverse effects) lasted 2 hours; and "Natrapel,"
with 10% citronella lasted one hour. (Note: See Consumer Reports June
2000 issue for full test results.)"

I also have an article that discusses herbs for insect repellants,
and includes a recipe for a mosquito repellant made from essential
oils. I'd be happy to mail you a copy if you give me your address.

I hope this is helpful.

Ken Steffenson
Washington Toxics Coalition
ksteffenson at watoxics.org



>Tweeters,
>
>A while back I saw a tiny article in the paper about a nonstandard
>repellant for mosquitoes. I believe this was in the Sunday Seattle
>Times Health section. A reader wrote that Bay Rum kept the little
>beasts away and wondered where it was sold these days. I don't know
>what Bay Rum is, except that the reader used it as a rinse after
>shampooing.
>
>Since one does run into mosquitoes while birding, I guess this might be
>an OK question for Tweeters: Is this a procedure that anyone has any
>knowledge about?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Bob Mauritsen
>Seattle
>bluetooth at csi.com


Ken Steffenson
Education Coordinator
Washington Toxics Coalition
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Suite 540-East
Seattle, WA 98103
206-632-1545 ext.17 fax: 206-632-8661
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