This study evaluated and compared the inflammatory impacts of different commercial (mosquito coil and liquid vaporizer) and natural (eucalyptus) mosquito repellents on the respiratory systems of male and female mice. Male and female mice were exposed daily to mosquito coil smoke, liquid vaporizer fumes, or eucalyptus leaf fumes for 6 h in a ventilated closed room over a 45-day period. Lung tissues were collected for histological analysis to assess structural changes. Levels of the inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were assessed immunohistochemically, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in lung tissue samples. Exposure to mosquito coils and eucalyptus leaves induced significant inflammatory responses in the lung tissues of both male and female mice, as indicated by elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels ( p < 0.05), and notable histopathological alterations ( p < 0.05). By contrast, exposure to liquid vaporizers only resulted in mild inflammatory changes with comparatively lower levels of inflammatory markers. No significant gender differences in inflammatory responses were observed. Smoke-producing mosquito repellents, particularly mosquito coils and eucalyptus leaves, produced marked inflammatory effects and histological lung damage in mice, irrespective of sex. Liquid vaporizers had minimal respiratory impacts, suggesting that they are a safer alternative. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop and promote less harmful mosquito repellent options to mitigate the respiratory health risks associated with currently popular products.
Ain et al. (Tue,) studied this question.