The Dangers of DEET Insect Repellents

If you head out into an area where you suspect bugs will be biting, it makes sense to use insect repellent to keep you from being chomped on. The active ingredient in most repellents carries inherent risks.

One of the greatest risks associated with the great outdoors is disease. In many parts of the world, disease is transferred by insects. Specifically, we are talking about bug bites, particularly mosquitoes. Not only do their bites itch like mad, but they can be incredibly dangerous. Mosquitoes are known to be carriers of such nasty things as West Nile Virus, malaria and encephalitis. You really do not want to catch any of these.

DEET is a type of diethyl toluamide that has proven effective at preventing insect bites. DEET is essentially a toxic pesticide that works in an odd way. It does not repel insects from biting you per se. Instead, it seems to prevent mosquitoes, ticks and what have you from finding you.

Most commercial insect repellents use it is their active ingredient. Given the risks associated with bug bits, DEET has more or less been held up as the pre-eminent way to protect oneself. Recent studies, however, have shown that there are definite risks associated with its use.

In various studies, the negative health effects of DEET have proven to be very alarming. When used as intended, topically, on a prolonged basis, brain cell death was found in rats in a study performed at Duke University. The resulting report suggested that the public should be cautioned about the risks and DEET insect repellents should be used sparingly for children. The number of studies that have been undertaken, however, are relatively small and the DEET industry strongly contests the results.

The insect repellent industry has always known that DEET has some downside. Of course, this information has never really been conveyed to consumers. The reason there has never been more of a commotion is the risk was considered worth taking compared to the risk associated with diseases carried by various insects. Simply put, DEET was the lesser of two evils.

Recent consumer studies, however, have shown that you need not rely on DEET insect repellents any more. Consumer Reports did an extensive study and found some interesting things. Non-DEET insect repellants that Picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil are just as good at preventing insect bites, but do not carry the inherent risks associated with DEET products.

At the end of the day, enjoying the great outdoors comes with some risks. Your insect repellent should not be one of them.

John Grimes is with All Terrain - makers of DEET-free insect repellent products.