Beware of insect repellent! In addition to killing annoying mosquitoes, they can harm our health, according to a new study published in the journal BioMed Central Biology .
The problem lies in an active ingredient common to most insect repellants, N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide ( DEET ), which is very effective against mosquitoes. According to researchers Vincent Corbel and Bruno Lapied, from the Institute for Development Research in Montpellier and the University of Angers in France, DEET is toxic to the central nervous system . Specifically, Corbel has found that this product acts as a behavior-modifying component and, more importantly, inhibits the activity of a key enzyme in the nervous system, acetylcholinesterase .
"These discoveries call into question the safety of deet, particularly in combination with other chemical components," concludes Corbel, urging research for the development of safer insect repellants .
