Seoul Analyzes Safety of 52 Mosquito Repellents
Nearly Half Not Approved as Over-the-Counter Drugs... Limited Effectiveness
Some Products Contain Potential Carcinogens
As summer arrives and demand for mosquito repellents increases, some mosquito repellents currently on the market have been found to contain allergenic ingredients or potentially carcinogenic substances.
The Seoul Institute of Health and Environment announced on August 11 that, after analyzing the ingredients and safety of 52 mosquito repellents sold on the market, allergenic ingredients at concentrations of 0.01% or higher were detected in 39 products (75%). The main detected substances were geraniol, citronellol, and linalool, which were found in most products, including those with fragrances.
In some products, methyl eugenol, a substance classified as a possible carcinogen, was detected at levels up to 4.0 ppm. Methyl eugenol is a harmful substance classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The detected concentrations were below the over-the-counter drug standard (10 ppm). However, there is no such standard for household chemical products, leaving a regulatory blind spot.
In fact, among the 52 mosquito repellents tested, only 28 (53.8%) were confirmed as over-the-counter drugs. The remainder were classified as industrial products, household chemical products, or cosmetics. Notably, all patch-type and band-type products, which are mainly used by children, were found not to be over-the-counter drugs. These products were classified as household chemical products, such as "air fresheners" or "repellents for flying insects." The main ingredient in these products is citronella oil, a natural essential oil, which was excluded from the list of approved over-the-counter drug ingredients after 2017 due to insufficient evidence of safety and mosquito repellent efficacy.
Over-the-counter drugs are products registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and are strictly regulated for ingredient standards and labeling requirements. In contrast, industrial products are not required to indicate their ingredients, and household chemical products are only required to label allergenic ingredients when their concentration exceeds a certain level (0.01%).
Therefore, the institute advised consumers to first check whether the product is labeled as an "over-the-counter drug" on the packaging when purchasing mosquito repellents, and to compare the active ingredients before use. The main ingredients currently approved as over-the-counter drugs are diethyltoluamide (DEET), icaridin, IR3535, and para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). All of these ingredients have been scientifically reviewed for efficacy and safety.
The institute stated, "When choosing products for children, be sure to check the age restrictions and recommended areas of use, and carefully read all labeling information," adding, "We will continue to provide reliable information so that citizens can confidently choose products."
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