deet banned in europe

Is DEET banned in Europe? The Jungle Formula range of insect repellents no longer contains diethyltoluamide (DEET), with the exception of the extra strength liquid. In some European countries, such as Denmark, DEET was banned, and it was subject to restrictions in others, such as in Holland where a maximum allowed concentration was imposed.

Full Answer

Is DEET regulated in the EU?

As a biocide, DEET is now regulated under the BPR to ensure consistent product safety across the EU. DEET is one of the first products to be regulated, in the next 10-15 years any product that repels, attracts or kills any living organism will come under these regulations.

Is DEET safe in Canada?

Health Canada officials say DEET is just as effective in lower concentrations. It's just that lower concentrations don't last as long. Health Canada has also released some guidelines for people using repellents containing DEET: children under six months of age should not be using it.

What is DEET and why is it dangerous?

Also, thanks to their similar handles and applications, DEET is sometimes confused with DDT, a now-banned chemical insecticide that can promote cancer and birth defects. There have also been scattered research reports tying DEET to health concerns.

When was DEET first registered?

DEET was first registered decades ago, in 1957, after first being developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas.

Why did they ban DEET?

DEET-related health problems include skin rashes and scarring in adults and, in a few cases, reports of neurological problems in children. A ban would affect products that are more than 30 percent DEET. New York is the first state to propose such a ban.

Why is DEET controversial?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved DEET for use in people of all ages, including children. Some people experience rashes or irritated skin after using DEET, and it can irritate eyes if you spray it too close. More alarming, there have been rare reports of seizures associated with DEET.

Is DEET harmful to humans?

The human health risk assessment concluded that there are no risks of concern because no toxic effects have been identified when used as a dermally applied insect repellent, and there is no dietary or occupational exposure for DEET.

Is DEET banned in Canada?

DEET is a registered active ingredient that has been approved by Health Canada for use by children and adults.

Is picaridin safer than DEET?

Comparing DEET vs Picaridin, Picaridin 20% has been proven to provide equal protection against mosquitos and superior protection against ticks in similar concentrations without the same health concerns.

Does DEET cause neurological problems?

Summary: The active ingredient in many insect repellents, deet, has been found to be toxic to the central nervous system.

Is DEET safe UK?

Repellents that contain Deet are safe to use, say scientists who are warning that protection is vital for UK people travelling to tropical destinations, including the World Cup in Brazil. Deet protects against diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, passed on by mosquitoes and other insects.

Is DEET a known carcinogen?

DEET has been classified as a Group D carcinogen (not classifiable as a human carcinogen.)

Does DEET cause brain damage?

"But frequent and heavy use of DEET, especially in combination with other chemicals or medications, could cause brain deficits in vulnerable populations."

Why is citronella banned EU?

In the EU, Ceylon type citronella oil is placed on the category 3 list, with some safety concern regarding methyl eugenol. In the UK, EU legislation governing insect repellents came into force in September 2006, which banned citronella as an active ingredient in any insect repellent products.

Is DEET banned in the US?

DEET is not DDT. In fact DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972. MYTH: The higher the percentage of DEET, the better protected you are. FACT: The level of DEET in repellent only determines how long the protection lasts.

Why is citronella banned?

Citing a study that found internal ingestion and intraperitoneal injection of methyl eugenol, a constituent compound found in citronella, to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” Health Canada took what many consider to be a drastic step to eliminate insect repellents from store shelves nationwide.

When was deet first used?

DEET was developed in 1944 by Samuel Gertler of the United States Department of Agriculture for use by the United States Army, following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. It was originally tested as a pesticide on farm fields, and entered military use in 1946 and civilian use in 1957. It was used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Where is DEET found?

DEET has been detected at low concentrations in water bodies as a result of production and use, such as in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, where a 1991 study detected levels varying from 5 to 201 ng /L.

How does DEET work?

DEET was historically believed to work by blocking insect olfactory receptors for 1-octen-3-ol, a volatile substance that is contained in human sweat and breath. The prevailing theory was that DEET effectively "blinds" or "confuses" the insect's senses so that the biting/feeding instinct is not triggered by the chemicals present in the sweat and breath of humans or other animals. DEET does not appear to affect the insect's ability to smell carbon dioxide, as had been suspected earlier.

What is the most common insect repellent?

N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, also called DEET ( / diːt /) or diethyltoluamide, is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It is a slightly yellow oil intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing and provides protection against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, leeches and many biting insects.

What is the recommended concentration of DEET?

Concentrations. The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to nearly 100 percent. Concentrations of 10 to 30 percent are recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.

Where was bug juice used?

It was used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. In its original form, known as "bug juice", the application solution was composed of 75% DEET and 25% ethanol. Later, a new version of the repellent was developed by the U.S. Army and the USDA.

Does DEET attract mosquitoes?

By reducing odor volatility, DEET functions to "mask" the ability of volatile odorants on the skin to activate olfactory neurons and attract mosquitoes. A study with adult Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes found no activation of olfactory receptor neurons by DEET.

How to use deet on your hands?

To use DEET properly, spray it on your hands first, and then rub it on the parts of your body you wants to protect and that mosquitos like to bite—like ankles, wrists and neck. Day says this mode of application eliminates risk of DEET inhalation, lip numbness or accidental swallowing.

How does DEET work?

DEET seems to work by binding to CO2 receptors in the nose-like appendage a mosquito uses to probe a person’s skin for blood, Day says. Rather than kill the mosquito, DEET somehow blocks the insect’s ability to feed. “It works on contact—not on smell—so mosquitos will still land on you but they won’t bite,” he explains.

Is deet a good repellent?

Day calls DEET the gold standard of repellants, and one that is nearly always harmless when applied appropriately. “It is very safe,” he says. “Some people are sensitive and may have a skin reaction”—which could include an itchy or swollen rash—”but it’s not harmful otherwise.”. Still, DEET has a scary reputation.

Is DEET safe to use with sunscreen?

Also, both the CDC and EPA have repeatedly examined DEET and deemed it safe for consumers— even when combined with sunscreen.

Does DEET cause seizures?

One 2009 study concluded that DEET may prevent the normal breakdown of acetylcholine, a nervous system chemical that triggers movement and muscle activity. Some older research has also tied DEET to seizures or brain toxicity in children.

Is DEET a chemical?

Also, thanks to their similar handles and applications, DEET is sometimes confused with DDT, a now-banned chemical insecticide that can promote cancer and birth defects . There have also been scattered research reports tying DEET to health concerns.

Is it safe to mix DEET with sunscreen?

And there’s some theoretical concern—though not hard evidence—that DEET mixed with sunscreen or other insecticides could promote health issues that haven’t turned up in DEET-only research. But all of these potential issues are debated or have been debunked, and experts who have studied DEET say it’s safe.

When was DEET invented?

FACT: DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946. DEET was first registered decades ago, in 1957, after first being developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas. MYTH: DEET is the same as DDT. FACT: Nope!

What is dEET used for?

It’s been in use as an effective insect repellent since it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946.

Can you use dEET on kids?

Products containing DEET can be used on children. Always read product label instructions, and when applying on children, spray on your hands first, and then apply to their skin. MYTH: It’s the smell of DEET that repels mosquitos. FACT: DEET makes it hard for mosquitoes to land on you and bite you.

Overview

Effects on materials

DEET is an effective solvent, and may dissolve some watch crystals, plastics, rayon, spandex, other synthetic fabrics, and painted or varnished surfaces including nail polish. It also may act as a plasticizer by remaining inside some formerly hard plastics, leaving them softened and more flexible. DEET is incompatible with rayon, acetate, or dynel clothing.

History

Preparation

Mechanism and effectiveness

Concentrations

Effects on health

Effects on the environment