Since the invasion of West Nile virus and other diseases that are carried by biting insects we have heard a LOT about using products that have DEET in them. How safe is DEET for use on human skin, and will it damage other products we use?

A short search in the net found the following information.

"DEET is a chemical solvent and plastizer...it causes rapid deterioration of plastics...builds up readily in small bodies, especially during summer (when) heat causes pores to open more readily." DEET is capable of damaging plastic eye glasses frames, watch crystals, synthetic fabrics, leather, painted or varnished surfaces.

DEET repellents are not totally safe, and pose the greatest risk for children especially with repeated usage. According to Marion Moses, MD, founder of the Pesticide Education Center, San Francisco, CA, DEET is very toxic to the brain and nervous system. It can cause headache, tremor, weakness, paralysis, slurred speech, emotional / behavior changes, seizures and death in rare instances. More common symptoms may be skin rash, blistering, or allergic reaction.2

I found the above information at http://www.cacinfo.org/DEET.html

I first suspected problems with Deet due to comments on discussion boards on this site. I then did some research on the net and found that not only is DEET a solvent and plasticizer, but it also is actually toxic.

Deet products come in concentrations ranging from 4% to 100%. Obviously if you are going to use deet the higher the concentration of DEET in the product the more likely it is to damage glasses, and electronics screens

Jim Dicken