Mosquito coil smoke is made from chemical ingredients containing fine dust and toxic chemicals that can damage cells and increase the risk of lung cancer if used for a long time.
Summer is the time when mosquitoes grow rapidly, many families kill mosquitoes by burning incense. The product is effective in killing and repelling mosquitoes at a low cost, but can affect health if the incense is made from chemical ingredients.
Master and Doctor Phung Thi Thom, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that in the past, most mosquito coils were made from plant materials such as wood powder, coconut shell powder, incense powder, and adhesives. , dyes, oxidants… This type of material can help the incense smolder for about 8 hours. In which the natural pyrethrin acid ester compound, which has the ability to kill insects, accounts for about 0.3-0.4% by weight.
“Natural raw materials to make this incense are rare today,” Dr. Thom said, adding that many types of incense are currently made from chemical ingredients to increase the efficiency of killing and repelling mosquitoes. Some types of incense contain 0.25% pyrethroid – a chemical that kills insects and insects, often used in pesticides. This chemical can damage lung alveolar cells and cause genetic changes if exposed to a lot.
Many types contain the toxic substance S-2 (octachlorodipropyl ether), which evaporates and decomposes into bis (chloromethyl) ether when burned. According to Master, Doctor Nguyen The Thu, Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, this is a strong lung carcinogen, which can be toxic through contact with the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Smoke emitted from incense made from chemical ingredients also contains many toxic gases CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, and formaldehyde. They also contain toxic volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) along with some heavy metals such as lead, iron, magnesium…
“Mosquito incense, whether chemical or natural, when burned, releases a quantity of ultra-fine particles such as PM 2.5 microns, causing air pollution,” said Dr. Thu. Fine dust PM 2.5 microns contains toxic substances that can penetrate deep into the lungs and circulatory system. Frequent exposure can cause respiratory diseases, ear, nose and throat diseases, worsen sinusitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure can cause cell damage and form cancer cells.
Research by American scientists published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA) shows that a roll of mosquito coils when burned releases the amount of PM2.5 fine dust equivalent to burning 75-137 cigarettes. The amount of formaldehyde emitted is equivalent to burning 51 cigarettes.
Pyrethroids in mosquito coils and sprays are synthetic chemicals similar to natural Pyrethrins that can also cause health problems for terrestrial and aquatic animals.
Research by the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Toxicology, Chung Shan Medical University (Taiwan) based on 147 primary lung cancer patients and 400 controls showed that one week of burning mosquito incense made from chemical ingredients above 3 times, the rate of lung cancer is 3 times higher than that of non-users. However, according to Dr. Thu, larger studies are still needed to evaluate the harmful effects of mosquito scent on health.
Additionally, inhaling a lot of mosquito incense smoke can also lead to problems such as burning eyes, eye redness and irritation, nausea and vomiting. Some cases include intermittent coughing, wheezing, continuous sneezing and sore throat.
Regular exposure to chemical mosquito incense smoke increases the risk of lung cancer. Illustration: seagulls
To prevent mosquitoes, doctors advise eliminating places where mosquitoes can grow, filling ponds with stagnant water, and tightly covering water tanks, jars, and jars. Regularly trim plants and trees around living areas, clear bushes, and don’t let them grow overgrown. Always keep the house and surrounding areas dry, clean, airy and tidy. At night, families should close the main doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes, and turn on lights, fans, and use mosquito nets and natural essential oils to repel mosquitoes. Installing anti-mosquito screens is also a safe way to repel these insects.
Avoid wearing dark clothes to avoid attracting mosquitoes. Use mosquito nets when sleeping. Plant some mosquito-repellent plants such as mint, basil, rosemary… around the house, in front of doors. Periodically spray biological mosquito repellent around the living area.
If using mosquito coils, choose the type with natural ingredients, but do not overuse. Incense should be burned in well-ventilated areas, avoid burning in closed rooms and place away from flammable objects. Do not use if someone in the family has respiratory disease or a history of asthma.