Mosquito coils are familiar to everyone—almost every household uses them in summer. However, they can harm children's health, potentially causing conditions like asthma. Let's explore this in detail.
Beyond the traditional trio of mosquito coils, electric fly swatters, and mosquito nets, high-tech "mosquito repellent gadgets" are best used sparingly.
Recently, an article titled "A Single Mosquito Coil Triggers Asthma in a Three-Year-Old" went viral on Weibo and WeChat. Many mothers expressed concern: "I never imagined mosquito coils could cause asthma in children. We must be extra careful this summer."A reporter investigated mosquito-repelling "gadgets" on the market and found that the most reliable mosquito-proofing equipment remains the "time-tested treasure"—the mosquito net.(Excerpted from Modern Express)
Mosquito Coil Triggers Asthma in 3-Year-Old?
Doctor Advises "Asthmatic Children" to Stop Using Mosquito Coils
According to Beijing media reports, a three-year-old child would stay at his grandmother's house every weekend. As the weather grew warmer, the grandmother would light a mosquito coil in the room at night to prevent her precious grandson from being bitten by insects.After the weekend, the mother noticed the child coughing severely. A pediatric examination revealed an asthma attack. "The weather's warm now—how could my child suddenly develop asthma?" the mother wondered. After further tests and consultation, doctors preliminarily attributed the episode to recent mosquito coil use.
It turns out that asthma triggered by mosquito coils is not uncommon. For children with certain sensitivities, the smoke and dust from the coils can severely irritate the respiratory tract, causing airway spasms and triggering asthma attacks. During summer, when doctors encounter children with asthma, they typically ask parents if they've used mosquito coils, insecticides, or other mosquito-repelling products. If so, they advise immediate cessation.
Is burning one coil of mosquito coil equivalent to smoking 6 packs of cigarettes?
Experts: Their primary components differ
An online claim suggests that the particulate matter released from burning one coil of mosquito coil is equivalent to 4-6 packs of cigarettes, posing significant harm to human health. Is it really that alarming?
Research reveals that as early as 2013, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Environmental Monitoring Center Station compared indoor PM2.5 levels from burning a coil of mosquito coil versus a pack of cigarettes. In a 16-square-meter sealed room, burning one coil produced 626 micrograms/cubic meter of PM2.5, while smoking one pack produced 343 micrograms/cubic meter.The mosquito coil's concentration was actually twice that of cigarettes.
However, Zheng Yiping, an expert from the Nanjing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, believes that linking the hazards of mosquito coils and cigarettes lacks scientific basis, as their "natures" are vastly different. Although mosquito coils produce higher PM2.5 concentrations than cigarettes, the real harm lies in the toxic substances attached to the PM2.5 particles. Cigarettes contain nicotine and tar components, and emit thousands of harmful gases.
While the pyrethroid compounds added to mosquito coils possess some toxicity, their inclusion is strictly regulated by national standards. Zheng Yiping explained that legitimate mosquito coils contain minimal pyrethroid levels, posing no harm to the general population. "However, prolonged exposure to mosquito coils may adversely affect vulnerable groups like infants, young children, and pregnant women, who should exercise caution when using them."
Which "Mosquito Repellent Wonder" Works Best?
Expert: Vitamin B1 is Effective
In the battle against mosquitoes, beyond the traditional trio of mosquito coils, electric fly swatters, and mosquito nets, numerous high-tech repellents have emerged in recent years—such as mosquito-repelling phone apps, anti-mosquito bracelets, and repellent patches. But are these "wonders" reliable?
1. Mosquito-repelling apps
In fact, the "Science People" column under Guokr.com has long debunked the myth that ultrasonic waves are effective at repelling mosquitoes. Moreover, most mosquito-repelling apps cannot emit ultrasonic waves and are completely ineffective.
2. Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
Despite widespread criticism in recent years, these bracelets remain hot sellers. Most contain essential oils like citronella, peppermint, lemon leaf, lavender, or aloe vera.Zheng Yiping notes: "Many bracelets are soaked in insecticides or pesticides, which may harm human health—causing dizziness, allergies, or breathing difficulties." Recently, substandard bracelets in Jinan "poisoned" 29 elementary school students.
3. Pitcher Plants
Last year, pitcher plants went viral online. But how effective are they at repelling mosquitoes?Reporter interviewed Dr. Li Mei, a botanist at Zhongshan Botanical Garden, who explained that in the wild, pitcher plants do rely on consuming insects to grow. However, Li Mei clarified, "Compared to their wild counterparts, cultivated pitcher plants have lost their insect-catching abilities. They cannot actively attract or quickly digest mosquitoes. Moreover, the abundant nectar they secrete actually attracts many small insects to gather around them."
4. Vitamin B1
During summer strolls with babies, some mothers carry small spray bottles. These are homemade mosquito repellents made by dissolving vitamin B1 in water. Zheng Yiping confirms this method works. The repellent effect stems from mosquitoes disliking the smell of vitamin B1. "Some scents humans can't detect, but mosquitoes can."