New mosquito repellent w/ picaridin

[Guest guest]

The July 2005 Consumer Reports (p. 6) mentions a new mosquito repellent, Cutter

Advanced spay with the chemical picaridin. CR says it's as effective as 10% DEET

and had no chemical odor, only a faint odor of corn chips.

However, Beyond Pesticides says: Consumers should be aware however that very

little toxicity data exists on picaridin and therefore may choose to avoid the

product until health and safety data is made available.

Info from Beyond Pesticides:

From May 5, 2005

New Mosquito Repellents Recommended by the CDC

(Beyond Pesticides, May 5, 2005) After years of recommending only mosquito

repellents with DEET as the active ingredient, the Center for Disease Control

(CDC) has backed the efficacy of two new mosquito repellents, picaridin and oil

of lemon eucalyptus, a natural oil. The CDC has repeatedly pushed DEET in the

fight against West Nile virus mosquitoes. However, recent studies have prompted

the CDC to consider looking at picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus, products

which have been available in other countries for some time.

The CDC announced this news in hopes that at the onset of mosquito season more

people would protect themselves against West Nile Virus. In a media conference

Dr. Zielinski-Gutierrez of the CDC reported, " Nationwide, about 40 percent of

people report that they use mosquito repellents with any regularity. "

These alternatives give people more options, especially those who are concerned

over possible health impacts of using DEET products, especially when combined

with other chemicals often used in mosquito control such as permethrin that can

lead to motor deficits, motor, and memory problems. Consumers should be aware

however that very little toxicity data exists on picaridin and therefore may

choose to avoid the product until health and safety data is made available.

The CDC press release noted " Oil of lemon eucalyptus (also known as p-menthane

3,8-diol or PMD), a plant-based mosquito repellent provided protection time

similar to low concentration DEET products in two recent studies. "

For a list of herbal mosquito repellents safer than DEET, see Alternatives to

Spraying in Beyond Pesticides West Nile and Mosquito Management program.

TAKE ACTION: For more information on ways to protect yourself and your community

from mosquitoes and West Nile virus without the use of hazardous pesticides, see

Beyond Pesticides Public Health Mosquito Management Strategy.

******************************************

, M.Ag.

Certified Irlen Screener

502 Riverside Dr. NE

St. Cloud, MN 56304

320-251-7493

julie@...

www.ReadingAndLight.com

Irlen Syndrome can include problems with: reading (blurring, etc.), headaches,

eyestrain, light sensitivity, attention

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[Guest guest]

The best mosquito repellent is Tea Tree Oil. It doesn't even stain

clothes if applied directly onto them.

Barth

TOXIC MOLD SURVEY: www.presenting.net/sbs/sbssurvey.html

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