Chemical Content in Mosquito Repellent

One day, I bought two boxes of mosquito repellent. I read the phrases listed there, such as the instructions for use and the harm they caused. My eye was caught by a name I had never heard, Meperfluthrin 0.025% and Metoflutrin 0.0097%. This is the contents of a chemical present in the mosquito repellents.

I'm not a chemist. But when I was 16 years old (when I was a high school student), I loved chemistry lessons. Chemistry is one of the lessons I like besides math. But now I left both lessons because I chose to focus on the language field.

I find out about Meperfluthrin and Metoflutrin. Yups, I do have to know because these chemicals I use often. Steemit has reopened my insight into the importance of knowing these chemicals. As a teacher, I am also obliged to socialize to my students about the good of chemicals in this life.

Meperfluthrin

What is meperfluthrin? In this site mentioned that meperfluthrin is described as pesticide formulated for household and public hygiene situations to control mosquitoes and other insects. Example pests controlled are mosquitoes; cockroaches; bedbugs; and fleas. Mode of action is broad spectrum insecticide with contact and inhalation activity, effects insects presynaptic voltage gate sodium channels in nerve membranes rapid causing knockdown.

C₁₇H₁₆Cl₂F₄O₃, I downloaded this structure in this site.

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Metofluthrin

In wikipedia mentioned that metofluthrin is a pyrethroid used as an insect repellent. The vapors of metofluthrin are highly effective and capable of repelling up to 97% of mosquitoes in field tests. Metofluthrin is used in a variety of consumer products, called emanators, for indoor and outdoor use. These products produce a vapor that protects an individual or area. Effectiveness is reduced by air movement. Metofluthrin is neurotoxic, and is not meant to be applied directly to human skin. Although metofluthrin has insectidal properties against other insects, it may not be an effective repellent for insects other than mosquitoes.

C₁₈H₂₀F₄O₃, I downloaded this structure in this site.

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Dangers of Mosquito Repellents

What is the danger of using mosquito repellent for humans? In this source I found the following statement, "In humans, children are the most vulnerable, as their tender skin absorbs substances more readily. In some cases, toxic substances from repellents have been reported to affect the nervous system and even affect the growth rate. Given below are some of the potential health hazards and side effects of using chemical-based mosquito repellents: headaches, difficulty in breathing, tiredness or fatigue, muscle pain, pain in the joints, inflammation and redness of the skin, inflammation of the eyes, slurred speech, and insomnia or sleeplessness. So, we must be careful in using mosquito repellent in our homes. Keep out of reach of children.

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How Insecticide Works?

How does an insecticide work? According to Nurul Kamilati (2009:67), the work mechanism of an insecticide can be done in four different ways as follows:

1. Through the insect's mouth.
2. Through the insect's respiration system.
3. Through the insect's tarsus (space between tarsus). This mechanism usually happens to insects which have stick-sucks mouths. An example of those insects is mosquito.
4. Weaken the insect's nerves.

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How to Choose a Mosquito Repellent?

Nurul Kamilati (2009:67) explained that choose a mosquito repellent with high and fast exterminate. In addition, it must be safe not only for humans, but also for pets. A good mosquito repellent must have pleasant aroma and stable chemical order, so that it will work effectively in exterminating targeted mosquitoes. Besides, its price must be affordable and easy to find in the market.

Meperfluthrin and Metofluthrin chemicals of low levels appear to be safe to use. Meperfluthrin 0.025% and Metoflutrin 0.0097% have been clinically tested and have been estimated to minimize the harm caused. However, we still have to be careful that the chemical content does not poison our lives. That's what I will socialize to my students at school.

Funny ads about mosquitoes, source youtube

Thank you for reading

Warm Regards,
@teukumukhlis, teacher at MTsN 1 Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia

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References:

http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/iupac/Reports/2918.htm
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.23078613.html
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Metofluthrin#section=Top
https://www.buzzle.com/articles/dangers-of-mosquito-repellents.html
Youtube
Kamilati, Nurul. 2009: *Chemistry for Junior High School Year VIII. Jakarta: Yudhistira, pp 67

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