The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh 21.08.2009
Mosquito repellents, a health hazard
| Respiratory infections, skin abnormalities, allergies common reactions: study |
Study shows that repellents, fogging are temporary measures
36.2 p.c. use mosquito coils, 17.8 p.c. mats,
one p.c. use creams
HYDERABAD: We use them in our daily lives without batting an eyelid thinking that they would set us free from the nuisance of mosquitoes. A recent study conducted by Osmania University researchers, however, claims that mosquito repellents, of all makes, in addition to killing mosquitoes also impact human health.
The team of zoologists and entomologists from Osmania University conducted a study of the impact of mosquito repellents: liquids, coils, mats, creams and sprayers, in 925 households in twin cities. The study results show that repellents lead to respiratory infections, skin abnormalities and various kinds of allergies.
The study, the results of which would be presented in the ongoing national symposium on mosquito menace and climate change at Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Parasitology, was conducted only in slum settlements of twin cities, which have been identified as high risk zones because of past incidence of vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya. The researchers surveyed and studied the problems of slum-dwellers and their mode of protection from the mosquitoes.
Among the 925 households, 25 per cent reported sleeplessness and respiratory infections, 52 per cent skin irritation, 4.8 per cent diseases and the remaining of allergies.
Among the diseases, 50 per cent were malaria, 0.7 per cent filarial and 1.1 per cent dengue.
Survey
“The study shows that repellents and fogging are temporary measures. Stress should be on source reduction and training ground-level municipal workers so that they can take up preventive measures in a scientific way,” said Director of Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Parasitology Dr. B. Reddya Naik who along with three other researchers took up the study.
The study says half the households used liquidators, 36.2 per cent use mosquito coils, 17.8 per cent mats and one per cent use creams and sprays. “We have to target the larvae to break the lifecycle of mosquitoes.
Spraying low density oils and inoculation of fishes like Guppy are permanent solutions. However, no one in the sanitation wing is trained to take up such activities scientifically,” he lamented.
