Is DEET in insect repellent spray dangerous?

Are bug sprays safe?

Insect bites are a common occurrence in Japan's humid summer.

Mosquito and tick bites are not only itchy, but they can also infect people both at home and abroad with diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever, and Zika fever. Some of these diseases can be life-threatening, so it's important to take measures against insect bites.

But are insect repellent sprays safe? Many people may be concerned about whether it is safe to use them on small children in particular.

The number of commercially available insect repellent sprays labeled "DEET-free" is on the rise. But what exactly is DEET?

This article provides a thorough explanation of DEET, which is used in insect repellent sprays, and its safety. We hope it will provide you with some tips on how to safely prevent insect bites.

What is DEET?

DEET, also known as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is the active ingredient used in many insect repellents.

It is a yellowish liquid that, when applied to the skin or clothing, is consistently effective against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, etc. Unlike insecticides that kill insects, it keeps insects away and protects the skin from being bitten.

It began to be used in the 1950s.

After testing thousands of different chemicals, DEET was found to be one of the most effective insect repellents. It is still used in insect repellent sprays in many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Japan.

Is DEET dangerous?

When you see the label "DEET-free" on a bug spray, you might assume that DEET is a dangerous substance that you should avoid. Here's what we know so far.

The incidence of health damage is 1 in 100 million

A comprehensive report from the US Environmental Protection Agency on the safety of DEET states that 46 cases of poisoning and 4 deaths have been reported that may be related to DEET.

The number of cases may seem high, but it is the total number of cases since 1960. Despite the huge number of users and frequency of use, 50 reported cases is a very low percentage.

The report also estimated the incidence of potential health problems related to DEET to be one in 100 million.

Health hazards caused by misuse

It is true that there have been reports of encephalitis, coma, and death due to DEET, but these symptoms have only occurred after ingesting high concentrations (47.5% to 95%) of DEET .

People are not supposed to drink bug sprays, but there have been a number of deaths from DEET misuse that have led to more people avoiding it.

Confused with DDT

DDT is a chemical insecticide that is currently banned in Japan, Europe, and other countries. It is a substance that has been pointed out as having the potential to cause cancer and birth defects. Because its name is similar to DEET, there is often confusing information circulating about the two.

There is insufficient information on European regulations

In Europe, the use of DEET in insect repellents was approved in 2012. However, in 2016, Sweden pointed out the possibility of neurotoxicity, and the EU submitted a proposal to regulate it. However, there is insufficient clear evidence of neurotoxicity.

Currently, DEET is limited to a 15% concentration in vehicles in Europe, but has not yet been completely banned.

Also, the risk of neurotoxicity was pointed out in the case of oral exposure (ingestion by mouth). It is not a risk when applied to the skin. As long as you don't accidentally swallow the insect repellent spray, it should be fine.

Not classified as a carcinogen

There is also no evidence that DEET is a carcinogen. It is not classified as a carcinogen by any major agency in the world, including the US Environmental Protection Agency or the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Is it safe to use on children?

As mentioned above, most health hazards caused by DEET are caused by accidental ingestion or misuse. If you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, the health risk to the skin and body is very low.

Nevertheless, the image that "DEET is dangerous" spread throughout the world from the early 1980s to the late 1990s.
It all started when 13 cases of brain damage in children under the age of 8 were linked to DEET, and three of the 13 died (11 fully recovered), which led to widespread avoidance of DEET.

However, whether DEET was directly related to these deaths is unclear, and even now more than 30 years later, it has never been conclusively proven.

Some people may think, "That's true, it's scary," when they hear about cases like this. It goes without saying that any chemical can be risky if used improperly.

However, the estimated number of DEET use cases is 100 million per year, and the general consensus is that 14 cases over a 10-year period that could be harmful to health are an extremely low percentage.

However, a more recent study from 2014 found no known side effects when used according to the instructions.

Is DEET safe for pregnant women?

There are few studies on the effects on pregnant women and fetuses. However, there are many scary information out there. For example, this information:

• Pregnant rats exposed to high doses of DEET have lower birth weights for their pups
• At least three women who used DEET while pregnant gave birth to babies with severe birth defects, one of whom died.

This is certainly scary information, but the subjects of the study were rats and three or more pregnant women. This alone is not enough information to say it is dangerous.

Meanwhile, let's look at the results of a study in New Jersey (150 women) and a study in Thailand (897 women) , totalling more than 1,000 pregnant women.

These studies have shown that DEET can cross the placenta and enter the uterus, but in very small concentrations.

In both studies, babies born to mothers who used DEET were no more likely to be underweight or sick than babies born to mothers who did not use DEET, and they were no more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment or major birth defects.

Is DEET environmentally friendly?

When you spray bug repellent containing DEET, it floats in the air, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sunlight and other chemicals in the air break it down, with half of the DEET gone after five hours.

DEET that adheres to the skin is washed off from the skin and clothes when showering, bathing, or washing clothes. After being discharged, it is decomposed by aerobic microorganisms and does not remain in the environment for long.

Insect repellent alternative to DEET

As I have written so far, DEET does not seem to be dangerous if used correctly. For those who still do not want to use DEET, I will introduce other insect repellents.

Icaridin

Icaridin is an insect repellent that mimics a molecule found in plants of the pepper family. It was developed in Germany in 1986. It has been approved for use as an insect repellent in the United States since 2005 and in Japan since 2015.

It has only been around for a short time, and there hasn't been as much research or studies done on its safety as there has been on DEET.

However, previous research has shown that it is safe, and the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend its use.

Eucalyptus Lemon Oil

Eucalyptus lemon oil at a concentration of 30% or more is also said to be effective as an insect repellent. However, due to the risk of allergies to essential oils , it is not recommended for children under the age of 3. For children over 3 years old , it is considered safe and effective when used according to the directions.

summary

What is the basis for this commonly-circulated rumor? When I looked into it again, I found some surprising facts.

Not only DEET, but other insect repellent ingredients and natural essential oils also have their own risks depending on how they are used, how often they are used, and the concentration. When choosing a product that you or your loved ones can use safely, you want to make the right choice based on accurate information.