When products containing DEET get into the eyes, they may cause irritation, pain and watery eyes. People that have left DEET products on their skin for extended periods of time have experienced irritation, redness, a rash, and swelling. People that have swallowed products containing DEET have experienced stomach upset, vomiting, and nausea.
Does DEET cause health problems?
However, the big chemical companies have tried to develop regulations to the use of this dangerous chemical. Deet is proven to be responsible for certain health problems such as seizures, rashes, slurred speech, confusion, muscle twitching, and the worst is death.
Is DEET actually bad for You?
The EPA stresses that DEET is perfectly safe when used in accordance with the directions on the label. Incorrect application can lead to health issues such as skin irritation, disorientation, dizziness and, in extreme cases, seizures or death [source: ATSDR ]. You hear rumors that DEET causes cancer.
Why is DEET bad for You?
- Use the right concentration. You don’t need 100 percent deet. ...
- Apply the repellent properly. Don’t spray it near your eyes or mouth. Instead, spray it on your hands, then rub it on your face. ...
- Know when not to use it. You want to skip it for children younger than 2 months old. ...
What is bad about DEET?
- Cancer: Not documented
- Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
- Reproductive Effects: Not documented
- Neurotoxicity: Yes
- Kidney/Liver Damage: Yes
- Sensitizer/Irritant: Yes
- Birth/Developmental Defects: Yes
- Detected in Groundwater: Yes
- Potential Leacher: Yes
- Toxic to Birds: Not documented
See more
What are the dangers of DEET?
Dangers of DEETAllergic Reactions. For some people, when DEET is applied to the skin, especially for an extended period of time, it can cause adverse reactions like redness, rash, swelling and hives. ... Seizures and Brain Malfunction. ... Gulf War Syndrome. ... Carcinogenic Properties. ... Toxic for Pets. ... Environmental Impact.
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.
Is DEET safe for daily use?
Generally, repellent with DEET should not be applied more than once a day. DEET can put on exposed skin, as well as clothing, socks, and shoes. But don't use it on your child's face, under clothing, on cuts or irritated skin, or on the hands of young children.
Is DEET toxic 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.
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 cancerous?
Despite what you may have heard about DEET, there's no evidence that DEET causes cancer in humans or animals. In fact, nearly all the DEET absorbed by your skin is eliminated by urination within 24 hours. And it's considered the most effective defense against biting insects.
How long does DEET stay in your system?
Nearly all of the DEET that is taken in through the skin is eliminated by the body within 24 hours of applying it.
What is the safest insect repellent?
DEET is approved as a safe and effective insect repellent. The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective—a higher concentration works for a longer time. For example, 10% DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% DEET protects for about 5 hours.
Is 100 percent DEET safe?
"DEET is very safe when used properly," Rodriguez says. For everyday needs, you can use 10% or 20% DEET to avoid mosquito bites. "Higher concentrations of DEET such as DEET 100% are only necessary in places with high mosquito density and risk for mosquito-borne illness," Rodriguez says.
Why does DEET burn my skin?
Insect repellents (e.g. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or DEET) applied to the skin can potentially interfere with sweat production and evaporation, thus increasing physiological strain during exercise-heat stress.
Why do mosquitoes hate DEET?
How does DEET work? DEET works to confuse and interfere with the receptors on a mosquito's antennae, which deters mosquitoes from landing on the skin and biting. These receptors are used to detect body heat, carbon dioxide and skin chemicals when seeking out prey.
Can DEET cause headaches?
It can cause numb or burning lips, nausea, and headaches. But it causes more problems if ingested than just if on skin. And some people are allergic to DEET. More on safety: There have only been roughly 20 cases in the world of severe DEET reactions, like a seizure or brain encephalopathy.
What are the symptoms of exposure to DEET?
And according to reports made to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, symptoms associated with exposure to DEET are related to the route of exposure, with the highest rates caused by exposure to the eyes, followed by inhalation, skin exposure and ingestion.
What happens if you put DEET on your skin?
1. Allergic Reactions. For some people, when DEET is applied to the skin, especially for an extended period of time, it can cause adverse reactions like redness, rash, swelling and hives. Case studies suggest that some people may be at risk of allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis from exposure to DEET.
What is the best insect repellent?
In an effort to avoid bug bites and insect-borne diseases like Zika, West Nile, Keystone virus and Lyme disease, you may automatically turn to products containing DEET, which is known to be the most effective insect repellent on the market.
What percentage of DEET is safe for mosquitoes?
Environmental Working Group identifies DEET (in concentrations less than 30 percent) as one of its top picks to reduce the risk of life-altering disease from tick and mosquito bites with low toxicity concerns. But the organization stresses that precaution and proper application is essential.
How long does it take for a dog to flush out a dEET sprayed eye?
If this happens, you need to flush it out of your pet’s eyes for at least 15 minutes. If your pet inhales DEET, this can cause airway inflammation and difficulty breathing.
How old was the man who developed hives after applying insect repellent?
Nova Southeatern University in Florida published another case study describing a 22-year-old man who developed hives immediately after applying insect repellent and coming into contact with others who had used DEET-containing repellents. ( 5)
How long does eucalyptus oil repel mosquitoes?
In other research, when insect repellents containing eucalyptus oil were tested on five subjects exposed to mosquitos, they provided a range of protection from 60 to 217 minutes. ( 16)
What are the side effects of large deet poisoning?
Side effects of deet: Most serious and devastating complication of large deet poisonings is neurological damage. Patients may have disorientation, clumsiness when walking, ... Read More
Why is it unsafe to use deet bug sprays on children?
DEET bug spray: When used in concentraions of 10% and lower, deet insect repellents are safe. Higher doses cause neurotoxicity like slurred speech, confusion, and sei... Read More
Is there a good natural bug repellent that works just as well if not better than off and deet?
Bug repellent: I certainly don't know of anything natural that would beat out DEET. Natural options: If you are looking for a more natural repellent for mosqui-toes... Read More
Is it ok to use bug spray with deet on young children, and if so should the amount used differ from adult to child?
DEET bug spray&kids: I usually do not recommend deet spray directly on kid's skin. It cna be sparyed on tho htier clothes instead. For exposed skin use some other insect r... Read More
Does DEET melt water bottles?
Don't worry: High concentration DEET insect repellent can be alarming - the spray melts some plastics including BPA free water bottles - but if you have been fine ... Read More
Will deet hurt my baby?
Yes: Deet (n, n-diethyl-m-toluamide), the common insect repellent, is promptly absorbed through the skin. There have been several reported cases of toxic e... Read More
What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to DEET?
When products containing DEET get into the eyes, they may cause irritation, pain and watery eyes. People that have left DEET products on their skin for extended periods of time have experienced irritation, redness, a rash, and swelling. People that have swallowed products containing DEET have experienced stomach upset, vomiting, and nausea. Very rarely, exposure to DEET has been associated with seizures in people. Most of these reactions have happened after drinking products with DEET in them or using the products in ways that do not follow label directions.
How does DEET work?
Scientists do not know exactly how DEET works on all insects. Some insects sense people by detecting the chemicals from our bodies and in the air that we breathe out. It has been shown that insects exposed to DEET are not able to locate a person or animal because they cannot detect them.
What is DEET?
DEET is an insect repellent that is used in products to prevent bites from insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies, fleas and small flying insects. DEET is a colorless liquid that has a faint odor and does not dissolve easily in water. DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for protection of soldiers in insect-infested areas. Insect repellents containing DEET have been used by the general public in the United States since 1957.
What are some products that contain DEET?
DEET has been used in a number of insect repellent products including liquid sprays, lotions, and sticks. It has been estimated that about 30% of the U.S. population uses one or more products that contain DEET every year.
How might I be exposed to DEET?
There are four ways that people can be exposed to chemicals: contacting their skin, contacting their eyes, breathing them in, or eating them. DEET is often used directly on skin. DEET may also be inhaled when sprays are used around the body and in indoor spaces where the vapors can remain for some time. It may also be possible to swallow DEET if the hands are not washed after using DEET on skin.
What happens to DEET in the environment?
When DEET gets into the soil, it can be broken down by microbes, including bacteria and fungi . In experiments where fungi and bacteria broke down DEET, the chemicals remaining were less toxic than DEET itself. DEET usually sticks to soils, but can move in other soils to some degree. DEET does not dissolve or mix very well in water.
How long does it take for DEET to get out of your body?
The DEET that is taken in to the body can be found in the blood up to 12 hours after it is applied to the skin. Once in the body, DEET is broken down by the liver and eliminated from the body mainly through the urine.
How to avoid dEET cloud?
Cover up with pants and long sleeves to minimize the amount of skin exposed to bugs (and bug sprays). Try not to spray on cuts or irritated skin, and apply in well-ventilated areas to avoid breathing a DEET-cloud. When applying to kids, spray your hands and rub it onto their faces so they don’t inhale the vapors.
How long does 10% DEET repel bugs?
If you’re taking a short hike or spending an hour by the bonfire, reach for lower concentrations. Products with 10% DEET should repel bugs for about 2 hours, while those with concentrations of 20% to 30% last around 5. Limit exposure.
What is the best insect repellent?
DEET is the active ingredient in most common insect repellents. It’s an old-timer, used for more than half a century to ward off mosquitoes and ticks. After all that time, it’s still the best for keeping bugs at bay. “It’s the most effective ingredient we have,” Dr. Kassouf says.
What is the best insect spray for mosquitoes?
Natural bug sprays, such as citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil, might be helpful for light mosquito duty. But if you’re in an area where tick-borne or mosquito-borne illnesses are prevalent, you might want to look beyond the all-natural options. “DEET is still the gold standard,” Dr. Kassouf says.
Is it safe to use DEET on children?
And it’s quite safe. 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.
Can you use insect repellent on children?
Nobody wants to become a buffet for bloodthirsty mosquitoes or ticks. But as a parent, you make a point to steer your children away from hazardous substances. Dousing them with insect repellent can feel…counterproductive.
Can you use DEET in infants?
For babies and expecting moms, think twice. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using DEET products in infants under 2 months old. And while there aren’t reports of issues in pregnant women, DEET hasn’t been specifically studied in that group, Dr. Kassouf says.
How Does DEET Work?
It doesn't actually kill creepy-crawlies. "Rather, DEET application on skin deters insect bites," Burns says.
What Is DEET, Exactly?
Meet DEET: "DEET is an active ingredient that is used to repel biting insects, " says Carla Burns, senior director of cosmetic science at the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Its scientific name is N,N -diethyl- m -toluamide, and a June 2016 study in Nature suggests that it's the most effective and widely used insect repellent in the world.
What does spraying on deet do?
"We don't understand all the details of how it works, but it disrupts insects' sensory system so that they don't notice people as well," Oliver says.
Why do you use the lowest concentration of DEET?
Because it's always a good idea to reduce your overall chemical exposure and minimize the chance of skin reactions, opt for the lowest DEET concentration needed for the length of time you'll be in a buggy area. (Or, you can reapply a low-concentration product as instructed to extend your protection.)
How to use deet on kids?
When putting DEET on kids, spray it into your hands first and then wipe it on their skin or clothes, steering clear of their hands, mouth, nostrils and eyes.
How much DEET is in bug spray?
Confirm how much DEET your bug spray contains. According to the CDC, the concentration ranges from 4 to 100 percent.
When was DEET invented?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in the 1940s for military use and became available to the public in 1957. It quickly gained popularity because it works incredibly well.
What is the most common source of deet toxicity?
2. Most of those reported cases involved a misuse of deet products. Ingestion or “dermal application not consistent with label instructions” was the most common source of potential deet toxicity, according to the EPA report. The agency concluded that when consumers followed product-label instructions and took reasonable precautions, the health risks of deet essentially vanished.
Why does deet end up in water?
The deet on your skin is most likely to end up in aquatic systems, because when you shower, bathe, or wash your clothing, the chemical slips from your skin and clothing into the water supply. In water, deet is degraded by aerobic microorganisms. In general, it does not stay in the environment for very long.
Is deet a carcinogen?
4. There is no reliable evidence that deet causes cancer. Neither the Department of Health and Human Services nor the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs has classified deet as a carcinogen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, animal studies have not found an increase in tumors in research subjects who were given oral deet tablets or who had liquid deet applied to their skin. A Swedish study did find that men who used insect repellent for 115 days or longer faced an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. (A majority of repellents contained deet at the time of the study.) But the CDC says that the study was flawed and that the results were not conclusive.
Is deet safe to use?
The balance of evidence indicates that deet is safe when used as directed. There are a few things to keep in mind when considering reports to the contrary:
Is Deet Safe for the Environment?
For the most part, yes. Plenty of deet gets into the air when you spray it (especial ly if you’re using an aerosol). But according to the CDC, the chemical is broken down by sunlight and by other chemicals in the air. In 5 hours time, one-half of the deet released into the atmosphere will disappear this way.
What is the benefit of deet?
Benefits of DEET Products. DEET's most significant benefit is its ability to repel potentially disease-carrying insects and ticks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) receives more than 30,000 reports of Lyme disease (transmitted by deer ticks) and 80-100 reports of La Crosse encephalitis virus (transmitted by mosquitoes) annually. ...
Why do people use DEET?
population use DEET to protect them from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, the Zika virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
How long does it take for a tick to die from encephalitis?
Studies in EPA’s database indicate that DEET repels ticks for about two to ten hours, and mosquitoes from two to twelve hours depending on ...
How does deet work?
DEET is designed for direct application to people’s skin to repel insects. Rather than killing them, DEET works by making it hard for these biting bugs to smell us. After it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957. Approximately 120 products containing DEET are currently registered with EPA by about 30 different companies.
How much DEET is in food?
Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 5 to 99% DEET. Except for a few veterinary uses, DEET is registered for use by consumers, and it is not used on food. DEET is designed for direct application to people’s skin to repel insects.
When was dEET first used?
After it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957. Approximately 120 products containing DEET are currently registered with EPA by about 30 different companies. On this page: Safety review of DEET. Benefits of DEET products.
When did the EPA issue the DEET decision?
EPA issued an Interim Decision for DEET in September 2014. We concluded that:
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.
How long does 7% deet last?
Finally, understand that the percentage of DEET a product contains—usually somewhere between 5% and 30%—affects the length of time it will keep bugs away, not how potent or effective it will be. “A 7% DEET will give you about 90 minutes of protection, and you can always reapply it as needed,” Day says. A 30% product, he says, will last up to 10 hours.
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.
Is it safe to drink dEET while pregnant?
Also, both the CDC and EPA have repeatedly examined DEET and deemed it safe for consumers — even when combined with sunscreen. Studies on the use of DEET among pregnant women have failed to find any harmful effects. And even if DEET leaches into drinking water sources, it doesn’t seem to cause any health issues when consumed in those trace quantities.
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.
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 it safe to use DEET on a bug?
But the existing research suggests that applying DEET is a safe, effective way to protect yourself and your family from potentially disease-carrying bugs.
What is the best substitute for DEET?
Since there are still some reasons to have concerns about using DEET, EWG also recommends several good alternatives: Picardin, IR 3535 and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Is deet a good repellent?
EWG’s science review concluded that although DEET certainly isn’t perfect, its safety profile is actually better than a lot of people think. Given that DEET is highly effective, reasonably safe and has been used billions of times, we concluded that it’s a reasonable choice when you need a repellent that really works.
Overview
Use
Prevention
- Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378.
Mechanism
- Scientists do not know exactly how DEET works on all insects. Some insects sense people by detecting the chemicals from our bodies and in the air that we breathe out. It has been shown that insects exposed to DEET are not able to locate a person or animal because they cannot detect them.
Safety
- People have had adverse reactions to DEET when they applied it to parts of their body that contacted other skin surfaces, and when they applied it to skin that was under clothing. Exposure to DEET can be limited by reading the pesticide label and following all of the directions.
Toxicity
- Reports of pets being exposed to DEET in amounts that would make them sick are rare. Pets that have been overexposed to DEET have shown varying effects, including vomiting, shaking, excitement, lack of coordination, and seizures. Tests were done to find out if DEET could affect fish or insects that live in the water. For freshwater fish and insects...
Causes
- When DEET was applied to the skin of volunteers by researchers, they found that a small amount of the DEET was taken into the body through the skin. When DEET and alcohol are applied to the skin, more DEET is taken into the skin compared with DEET alone. Drinking alcohol may also cause more DEET to be absorbed through the skin. Sunscreen products that contain DEET may …
Other animals
- Researchers have not found any evidence that DEET causes cancer in animals or humans. DEET has been classified by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as \"not classifiable as a human carcinogen\", which means that there is not enough evidence to say that it does or does not cause cancer.
Risks
- Limited information is available on childhood responses to DEET from experiments or poison center reports.Children have had adverse responses to DEET exposure, but most of these cases have resulted from improper use or accidents. Children involved in accidents have usually had less serious effects than teens and adults. Special instructions have been placed on products c…
Contraindications
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that DEET not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.1 The AAP has also recommended that DEET should be applied no more than one time per day for children older than two months, and that products should be used on children that have the lowest DEET concentration available. The AAP has cautioned parents n…
Formation
- When DEET gets into the soil, it can be broken down by microbes, including bacteria and fungi. In experiments where fungi and bacteria broke down DEET, the chemicals remaining were less toxic than DEET itself. DEET usually sticks to soils, but can move in other soils to some degree. DEET does not dissolve or mix very well in water.
Environment
- Because DEET is used by so many people, it has been found in waste water and in places where waste water moves into other bodies of water.