Introduction
Introduction
Mosquito coils are widely used as mosquito repellent. The major active ingredients of most mosquito coils are pyrethrins, accounting for about 0.3 – 0.4% of the coil mass. When a Mosquito coil is burnt, the insecticides evaporate (pyrethrin, PAH, aldehyde etc.) with smoke, which prevent the mosquito from entering the room and harm those already in the room. The remaining components of mosquito coils include organic fillers, binders, dyes and other additives capable of burning well without flame. The combustion of these remaining components generates large amounts of submicrometer particles and gaseous pollutants such as acenaphthene, penanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, etc.. These particles can reach the lower respiratory tract and may be coated with a wide range of organic compound generated through incomplete combustion of mosquito coil base materials. Mosquito coils are often used overnight in sleeping quarters; where continuous exposures may occur. Chronic exposure to coil smokes occurs during rainy periods because mosquitoes are found to be more active in the environment due to collection of water and increase in green plants. This long-term exposure calls for concerns on the potential toxicological effects of the smoke on humans.
Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term exposure to mosquito coils smoke can induce asthma and persistent wheeze in children. This study therefore aims to investigate the toxicological effects of mosquito coil smoke in rats with hope that the results would provide a guideline for proper use of these coils.
Abstract
Biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the toxic effects of different brands of mosquito coil smoke in experimental rats. The smoke from the coils produced significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of total protein, total albumin, bilirubin and blood urea nitrogen when animals were exposed to smoke for 14 days. Similarly, the smoke from the coil also caused an elevation in the activities of
Mosquito coils are widely used as mosquito repellent. The major active ingredients of most mosquito coils are pyrethrins, accounting for about 0.3 – 0.4% of the coil mass. When a Mosquito coil is burnt, the insecticides evaporate (pyrethrin, PAH, aldehyde etc.) with smoke, which prevent the mosquito from entering the room and harm those already in the room. The remaining components of mosquito coils include organic fillers, binders, dyes and other additives capable of burning well without flame. The combustion of these remaining components generates large amounts of submicrometer particles and gaseous pollutants such as acenaphthene, penanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, etc.. These particles can reach the lower respiratory tract and may be coated with a wide range of organic compound generated through incomplete combustion of mosquito coil base materials. Mosquito coils are often used overnight in sleeping quarters; where continuous exposures may occur. Chronic exposure to coil smokes occurs during rainy periods because mosquitoes are found to be more active in the environment due to collection of water and increase in green plants. This long-term exposure calls for concerns on the potential toxicological effects of the smoke on humans.
Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term exposure to mosquito coils smoke can induce asthma and persistent wheeze in children. This study therefore aims to investigate the toxicological effects of mosquito coil smoke in rats with hope that the results would provide a guideline for proper use of these coils.
Abstract
Biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the toxic effects of different brands of mosquito coil smoke in experimental rats. The smoke from the coils produced significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of total protein, total albumin, bilirubin and blood urea nitrogen when animals were exposed to smoke for 14 days. Similarly, the smoke from the coil also caused an elevation in the activities of