The most active ingredient in a mosquito repellant is called the DDT. This is what makes a mosquito repellant effective in keeping off mosquitoes from any where near your skin to sting. Yes it’s effective, but how? And will it compromise safety?
Mosquito repellants containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023) typically provide longer-lasting protection compared with other mosquito repellant products. This DDT found in mosquito repellant products, is among the approved or registered ingredients in mosquito repellants by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The DDT then is proven efficient in driving away mosquitoes and its potential effects on humans and the environment is also carefully studied. However, the issue about its safety comes when the DDT’s possible adverse effects to health or environment becomes vague as using a mosquito repellant according to product label instructions becomes unclear to consumers. How should we really choose among DDT containing repellant products?
Some people contend that the more the percentage of DDT in a mosquito repellant then the more the protection you would get from mosquito bites. The higher concentration of the active ingredient a repellent contains, then the longer time it protects against mosquito bites.
But first let’s take a look at how different mosquito repellant products containing varying amounts of DDT generally work: Products with 24% DEET provides an average of 5-hours protection from mosquito bites; products with 20% DEET provides almost 4-hours protection; products with 7% DEET provides almost 2-hours protection; and products with 5% DEET provides roughly 1½-hours protection.
Typically, disregarding the DDT content, all the above products would advice simple re-application of the mosquito repellant as safe if followed according to the product’s label instructions. This puts some people into thinking that if you re-apply the repellant then its effectiveness would prove better results, and taking the opposite, if you re-apply the repellant too much then also too much of its effect would turn out bad, especially on kids. Others still, say that too much DDT in a mosquito repellant could be harmful for children’s health although protecting him from mosquito-borne diseases. First, too much of the repellant, and then, too much DDT on the repellant.
As a rule, only children some 2-months and up are allowed to use a mosquito repellant containing DDT. Plant-based repellents are preferred by parents for their children especially the ones with oil of lemon eucalyptus (except that it could be applied on children at least 3-years old) or soybean oil or citronella, instead of DDT, although it provides less lasting protection. Mosquito netting is the usual alternative for protecting infants or a fan or gentle moving breeze.
People who would still be using DDT-containing repellants may find observing the following measures relieving:
* Applying repellents only to exposed un-irritated or wounded skin, not anywhere under clothing or on the eyes or mouth or inner ears
* Not directly spraying onto face (on hands first and then onto face)
* Not spraying in enclosed areas; not using it near food; and avoiding breathing a repellent spray
* Not allowing children to handle the products (not applying to children's hands)… [next…]
* Washing treated skin with soap and water or bathing after returning indoors, and
* Using just enough repellant (as heavy application and saturation is generally unnecessary for effectiveness).