Does electric mosquito repellent have safety risks? Don't make these mistakes when using it

Popular Science Times reporter Chen Jie

Recently, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine reported a case of a 1-year-old child who accidentally ingested mosquito repellent liquid and was poisoned. Even though the emergency doctors performed a series of rescue efforts and took medication to control convulsions and relieve brain edema, the child still died of severe brain damage. Why is mosquito repellent liquid so toxic?

No specific antidote

The mosquito repellent component of electric mosquito coils is pyrethroids, which are slightly toxic. Under normal circumstances, the vaporization and diffusion of mosquito coils into the air have little impact on the human body. Chu Zhixiang, deputy director of the emergency medicine department of the Hainan Hospital of the PLA General Hospital, said that if the mosquito coil liquid enters the digestive tract in liquid form, the human body may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is currently no specific antidote.

Chu Zhixiang suggested that in case of accidental ingestion, one should drink plenty of water to dilute the concentration of the electric mosquito repellent liquid in the stomach, reduce its irritation and damage to the stomach, and allow it to be excreted through urine.

However, it is important to note that you should not induce vomiting without authorization to prevent secondary injuries such as mucosal burns and aspiration, and do not take medicine on your own to avoid aggravating the condition or causing other adverse reactions. Compared with adults, children are much more difficult to treat after accidental ingestion because of their immature organs and incomplete functional development.

If poisoning is discovered from accidentally ingesting electric mosquito repellent liquid, seek medical attention immediately and bring the remaining product and outer packaging to the hospital and hand them over to medical staff so that they can understand the main ingredients of the poison. "If a child with no history of convulsions suddenly has a convulsion without warning, he or she must be sent to the hospital immediately," Chu Zhixiang said.

Avoid using in enclosed spaces for long periods of time

Pyrethroids kill mosquitoes by disrupting their nervous system. Long-term exposure to electric mosquito coils, especially when used in closed spaces, can cause certain damage to human health, including dizziness, headaches, vomiting, etc. People with allergies may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, asthma, etc. In addition, electric mosquito coils also release toxic gases such as benzene and formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory problems.

Chu Zhixiang suggested that when using electric mosquito repellent liquid, it should be placed out of the reach of children, and the room should be well ventilated to avoid long-term continuous use. If there are pregnant women or infants at home, it is recommended to consider using mosquito nets, electric mosquito swatters and other physical mosquito repellent methods.

In addition, the packaging of mosquito coils is often in a special shape, and the liquid is colorless and has a fragrance, which is attractive to young children. A clear warning of "toxic if taken orally" should be placed in a prominent position on the packaging. Chu Zhixiang emphasized, "When used daily, it must be placed where children cannot see or touch it."