Mosquito Coils or Mini-Toxic Fires?
Two recent studies have examined the potential threat to public health from foreign-made mosquito coils. In the first study, researchers characterized emissions from four common brands of mosquito coils from China and two common brands from Malaysia. The coils contained pyrethrins ranging from 0.3 to 0.4 percent. The insecticide is mixed with combustible materials that have the ability to smolder without flame. It was determined that these materials emitted as much particulate matter (2.5 microns) as 75 to 137 cigarettes per coil, and that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene were present in the smoke. When coupled with the concept that a house might be closed to keep mosquito biting down, a sleeping room with a burning or burnt coil could lead to high acute exposure.
In the second study, researchers focused on measuring the insecticide octachlorodipropyl ether (S-2) in mosquito coils collected in Indonesian and Asian markets in Southern California (being sold illegally). Coils containing S-2 have been linked to emissions of bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME), a potent lung carcinogen formed by combustion of S-2. Of the 16 coils tested, ten were found to contain S-2, and none of them listed it on the label. (Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, 9/8/03).
