Bug Repellant: Friend or Foe?

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Bug Repellant Friend or Foe?

• Jaclyn Gilman
• Chemistry 112
• December 15, 2001

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A good repellant should be

• Nontoxic
• Nonirritant
• Non-allergenic
• Harmless to clothing
• Have a non-offensive odor

• Easily applied
• Effective against multiple insects
• Offer protection for several hours under variable
  weather conditions

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What is DEET?

• Chemical Name diethyl-meta-toluamide
• 1954- United States Army
• 1957-Registered for use by the general public
• Consumers buy about 100 million worth of
  products that contain DEET

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Chemical Structure

• Formula C12H17NO
• Group Aromatic Ester
• Solubility Insoluble in water Soluble in
  alcohol, ether, and benzene
• Origin Prepared from m-toluoyl chloride and
  diethylamine in benzene or ether

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How Does DEET Work?

• May make skin repugnant to a bug
• DEET can jam the cells in the insects antennas
  that are sensitive to lactic acid

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Advantages to DEET

• DEET offers hours of protection
• Not greasy
• Dries rapidly
• Resistant to being washed off

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Disadvantages to DEET

• Can cause toxic effects
• 56 penetrates intact human skin
• 17 absorbed into bloodstream
• Children are most vulnerable to accidental
  misapplication

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Harmful side effects of DEET

• Rash
• Swelling
• Itching
• Eye-irritation
• Slurred Speech
• Confusion
• Seizures

• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Behavioral Changes
• Abnormal movements
• Lethargy
• Coma

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Precautions

• Avoid application under clothing
• Avoid application near the eyes or mouth
• Do not use on cuts, irritated skin, or on people
  with chronic skin condition
• Wash treated skin and clothing
• Use sparingly on children in concentrations of no
  more than 10 and 34 for adults

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Other Alternatives

• All Natural Repellants such as Buzz Away,
  Nutrapel, and Avons Skin-so-Soft
• Skeeter-Defense Patch