Question:
I've once read that the stuff in mosquito repellant may cause cancer.
(In dutch this is called Diethyl-m-toluamide).
But how about the mosquito bites themselves? Is it only itch they are
causing, or also longterm effects?
What is better for your health: using the repellants or letting the
mosquitos bite you? (I mean, apart from health effects due to lying
awake annoyed by mosquito humming or by your extremely itchy knuckles).
Answer:
>I've once read that the stuff in mosquito repellant may cause cancer.
>(In dutch this is called Diethyl-m-toluamide).
Gee, that almost looks like IUPAC English, to me.
>But how about the mosquito bites themselves? Is it only itch they are
>causing, or also longterm effects?
Well...in some locales...death results. That's certainly a longterm
effect, isn't it?
>What is better for your health: using the repellants or letting the
>mosquitos bite you? (I mean, apart from health effects due to lying
>awake annoyed by mosquito humming or by your extremely itchy knuckles).
You've got basically three choices: (1) feed the mosquitos; (2)
avoid mosquito-infested areas (e.g. swamps, bars, brothels, used-car
dealerships, universities, hospitals, etc. :-) ; (3) use a repellant
(note, that there may be some natural compounds that could do the
trick, maybe mint extract).
Is anyone aware of any governmental actions that are aimed at
protecting the mosquito from extinction; it could be a real
ecological disaster if we were to eradicate the beast from the face
of the earth!
