Commentary on Hot Breaking News.
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Consulting in LEED Certifications, Green Buildings, Green Homes, Green Factory Buildings, Green SEZs, Green Townships &; Energy Audits.
A personal request: Please help my Eco-Project get funding
by voting my Project Idea, "Herbal, Safe & Affordable Mosquito Repellent"
(Idea ID: I06636) get Funding.
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur 515 003, India.
Abstract
Continuous exposure of humans to pyrethroid-based mosquito repellents for longer durations may lead to adverse health effects. No information is available on long-term use of these mosquito repellents pertaining to the biochemical changes in human subjects.
Prallethrin is one of a class of synthetic chemicals, called pyrethroids, that are derived from natural chemicals found in chrysanthemums. It is listed by the European Union as an endocrine disruptor. Pyrthroids are known to be very toxic to cats and owners should be cautioned against using them if cats are present in the home.
'Goodknight’ brand of
mosquito coils contain Prallethrin 0.05%, w/w, 'Mortein' brand of mosquito
coils contain d-Allethrin 0.20% w/w, 'Jet' Brand Mosquito coils contain 0.10%
w/w of d-trans Allethrin (a.i.), 'Allout', 'Tortoise' et al brands of mosquito
coils contain something or other chemical, which all have been certified to be
safe to humans, save for eye-contact, some times skin allergies, etc. etc. And
the same branded Mats & Liquids too contain the above chemicals.
So far, no manufacturer or independent research-body has
conducted any study on the intense inhalation of the fumes of these mats,
liquids or the smoke of the burnt coils for an exposure between 8 to 10 hours
in a closed room, which is the case when we wish to drive out as well as prevent
the re-entry of mosquitoes into our bedrooms & drawing rooms.
It is
observed, by one and all, that the fumes may or may not drive away mosquitoes
completely (as the efficacy solely depends on the season, ambient temperature
& the intensity of hunger-pangs of the mosquitoes of that moment) but,
noted to have been giving ‘Chronic Respiratory Diseases’ especially to the
infants, elderly people, women & those convalescing from a deceases, et
al. No concrete study has been made on whether these respiratory
ailments or reversible or not or on the long-term damage to our lungs.
It
seems we are victimising ourselves trying
to protect ourselves from ‘mosquito-borne diseases’, by acquiring ‘respiratory
& others diseases’ with constantly inhaling harmful chemical fumes &
smoke for 8 to 10 hours a day, in closed-door environment.
Insect-Menace, especially that from Mosquitoes has not been new to the humans but, what are new are the modern-day chemical
solutions being marketed as panacea to this ancient problem.Insect Repellents of Natural Sources, with
nil ill-effects on human health have been as old as the coexistence of humans
with insects, among all cultures, based on what was naturally grown in that
Agro-climatic Zone, to which that culture belonged.However, most of these natural solutions to
the insects have been systematically displaced with harmful, chemical based
solutions, over a period of time, by the blindingly greedy Corporates, with
aggressive campaigns and specious arguments against the usage of natural
solutions.
As published in Wikipedia,
Insect repellents from natural sources
Here are many preparations from naturally occurring sources that are repellent to certain insects. Some of these act asinsecticideswhile others are only repellent.
§Celeryextract (Apium graveolens) (mosquitos)[23]In clinical testing an extract of celery was demonstrated to be at least equally effective to 25% DEET,[29]although the commercial availability of such an extract is not known.
§Neem oil(Azadirachta indica) (Repels or kills mosquitos, their larvae and a plethora of other insects including those in agriculture)
§Oleic acid, repelsbeesandantsby simulating the "Smell of death" produced by their decomposing corpses. It is a 400 millions years old natural mechanisms helping to sanitise the hives or to escape predators[39]
I know,
for sure, any extract, leave, stem, root, etc. of “Tulsi” (Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum), not only drive away
mosquitos & other insects but also doesn’t give any form ill-effects to the
health of humans. In fact ‘Tulsi’ is, successfully, cross-cropped along
with vegetables, fruit, etc. to protect them from insect attacks.
I am,
equally, sure that the some others listed above too would give us similar possibilities.
I wish to
urge you all to think in terms of coming out with “disruptive Solutions’ based
on the essential oils as well as of the leaves, flowers, stems, roots, etc. of
the above to displace harmful, chemical based mosquito repellents.
I am
consumed by a passion to be part of developing some lasting natural solutions,
for mosquito-menace, from some of the above.
Am
willing to devote my rest of life, time, energies, intellect, etc. for
developing the above.
