Everything You Need to Know About DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide)
Are you getting mixed messages about whether DEET is really safe? Find out everything you need to know about this chemical compound and what science has to say here.
What is DEET?
DEET is the commonly used name for a chemical called N,N-Diethyl-meta-toulemide. Products containing DEET will have a percentage of this chemical in them as an active ingredient. It is an amber/white liquid and has a subtle smell.
The US military developed DEET as a bug repellent in 1946. In 1957 they approved its use for the general public. Since then, hundreds of products with DEET have arrived on the market, mainly mosquito repellents.
This liquid is included in lotions, mists, wipes, and sprays meant to repel insects. Consumers often apply the solution to their skin or spray it into the air to keep away mosquitoes and, thus, protect against mosquito-born disease. The question is, does it work, and is it really safe for you and your children?
How Does DEET Work?
DEET repels mosquitoes because they don’t like the smell and taste of it. It was originally thought that DEET only worked by making your skin smell bad and changing the smell produced. Newer research shows that mosquitoes also don’t like the taste. Interestingly, mosquitoes can taste with their feet. When they land on your skin and taste the DEET, they fly away without biting you.
Is it Safe?
Some say yes, some say no. In truth, DEET can sometimes be harmful if you use it incorrectly or in rare cases. It’s been found that this repellent can cause drug-induced neurological diseases like seizures in children.
Many view deet as a beneficial chemical, since it can repel mosquitoes effectively, thus preventing some devastatingly dangerous diseases. Even so, there are symptoms and concerns, and not enough research to say how safe or dangerous it really is.
Can DEET cause cancer?
There is no research to prove that it does, and no evidence that it doesn’t.
Does DEET disrupt your Endocrine System?
It has not been documented, but no research has been done to prove its effects on the human endocrine system.
Does DEET Affect Human Reproduction?
There is no documentation regarding whether it affects human reproduction.
What About its Neurotoxicity?
Yes, DEET has been shown to behave as a neurotoxin in some cases or when coming into contact with certain elements.
Can it Cause Liver or Kidney Damage?
Yes, it can.
Can it Cause Irritation or Allergic Reactions?
Yes, allergic reactions and irritation of the skin or nasal mucosal cells are some of the most commonly reported side-effects or symptoms related to the use of or exposure to DEET.
Can it Cause Developmental Delays or Birth Defects?
Yes, according to the Beyond Pesticides Group it can. When pregnant women use DEET products, it can be detected in foetal blood samples. This means when the mother is exposed to it, it carries through the umbilical chord to the baby.
What are the Side Effects or Dangers of Using DEET?
Overusing DEET can lead to lethal results. In other words, there have been people who have died from overexposure to DEET. Considering how many people use it each day, this number is very small. Some of those who have died were children, where DEET was applied frequently and liberally. That is why it’s important to follow the recommended instructions for safe use.
Other common symptoms of DEET exposure include skin irritation, dizziness, disorientation, allergic reactions, seizures, and even death (ATSDR).
We should consider the risks, concerns, or dangers like the link between Gulf War Syndrome and how DEET mixes with other elements in our environment before deciding to use products that contain it. There are studies that seem to indicate that using rubber gloves while working with this chemical can lead to an increase in certain kinds of cancers that develop in white-blood cells and that it can have potentially carcinogenic effects on the nasal mucosal cells of the human nose.
DEET has proven toxic to pets and in water when ingested by fish and other water creatures in a number of ways. Even though it’s not 100% proven toxic to people, there are enough concerning factors evident to motivate considering a safer way to repel mosquitoes.
Further Reading:
https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/deet3.htm
https://draxe.com/health/deet/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594586/
