In the DEET Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) in 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported 14 to 46 cases of potential DEET-associated seizures, including four deaths. These 1996 findings indicate that DEET has neurological effects on insects in addition to known olfactory effects, and that its toxicity is strengthened in combination with other insecticides. When DEET is used in combination with insecticides for cockroaches it can strengthen the toxicity of carbamate, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. under circumstances in which it is crucial to be protected against arthropod bites that might transmit disease. When applied with common sense, DEET-based repellents can be expected to provide a safe as well as a long-lasting repellent effect. No correlation has been found between the concentration of DEET used and the risk of toxic effects. Many of these cases of toxic effects involved long-term, heavy, frequent, or whole-body application of DEET. Fewer than 50 cases of serious toxic effects have been documented in.
DEET has a remarkable safety profile after 40 years of use and nearly 8 billion human applications. this repellent has been subjected to more scientific and toxicologic scrutiny than any other repellent substance. The authors of a 2002 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine wrote: Other symptoms that can occur are breathing difficulty, burning eyes, or headaches. DEET can act as an irritant in rare cases, it may cause severe epidermal reactions. Effects on health Īs a precaution, manufacturers advise that DEET products should not be used under clothing or on damaged skin, and that preparations be washed off after they are no longer needed or between applications. Ī 2008 study found that higher concentrations of DEET have an improved ability to repel insects through fabric. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 30–50% DEET to prevent the spread of pathogens carried by insects. Other research has corroborated the effectiveness of DEET. 100% DEET was found to offer up to 12 hours of protection while several lower concentration DEET formulations (20–34%) offered 3–6 hours of protection. Consumer Reports found a direct correlation between DEET concentration and hours of protection against insect bites.
ĭEET is often sold and used in spray or lotion in concentrations up to 100%. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age. Concentrations of 10 to 30 percent are recommended for infants and children. The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to nearly 100 percent. The exact mechanisms are still being researched, but the two most likely hypotheses are the "smell and avoid hypothesis" (that DEET has an unpleasant odor to insects), and the "confusant hypothesis" (that smelling DEET confuses insects).
DEET is suspected to affect two pathways in mosquitos: it affects odorant receptors at a distance, and it affects chemoreceptors upon contact. It is effective against a variety of invertebrates, including ticks, flies, mosquitos, and some parasitic worms. Preparation Ī slightly yellow liquid at room temperature, it can be prepared by converting m-toluic acid (3-methylbenzoic acid) to the corresponding acyl chloride using thionyl chloride (SOCl 2), and then allowing that product to react with diethylamine: Mechanism and effectiveness ĭEET is an extremely effective insect repellant, the most effective available. This extended-release application was registered by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1991. This incarnation consisted of DEET and a mixture of polymers that extended its release and reduced its evaporation rate. Later, a new version of the repellent was developed by the U.S. In its original form, known as "bug juice", the application solution was composed of 75% DEET and 25% ethanol. It was used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It was originally tested as a pesticide on farm fields, and entered military use in 1946 and civilian use in 1957. 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.
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