Does Thermacells cause cancer?

A few caveats about some potential risks. Amazon includes a Proposition 65 warning for California residents that discloses that Thermacell’s repellent contains chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects. Allethrin and metofluthrin are also toxic to some animals including birds, fish, bees and cats.

What chemical is used in Thermacell?

Allethrin
Thermacell does not use chemicals to repel mosquitos. The active ingredient is Allethrin, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers.

Is Thermacell mosquito repellent toxic?

The active ingredient in the popular Thermacell devices is d-allethrin, which the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says is highly toxic to aquatic life and dangerous if swallowed or inhaled.

Is allethrin the same as permethrin?

Allethrin: A synthetic analog of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers that is odor-free and is an alternative to lotions and sprays which must be reapplied to skin. Permethrin: A cousin to Allethrin, is recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear.

Do Thermacells really work?

Yes. It has been tested against a wide assortment of insects and been found effective to varying degrees. Thermacell Mosquito Repellents are effective against mosquitoes, gnats, and flies (such as black flies). This isn’t surprising since mosquitoes, gnats, and flies are all members of the order Diptera.

Are Thermacells effective?

The ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Appliance is effective at repelling mosquitoes within a 225 square foot area when there’s little air movement; great for use when sitting outside on a deck or patio. It’s less effective in breezy conditions or when you’re moving around outside of a 15′ by 15′ area.

Is allethrin safe to breathe?

Although the Thermacell is EPA approved and uses allethrin (a synthetic version of a substance found in Chrysanthemums) instead of DEET, warnings include keeping the lantern away from uncovered food during operation and avoiding directly inhaling the vapor. Allethrin is also highly toxic to fish, bees and cats.

Is allethrin toxic to humans?

Acute toxicity: Allethrin is slightly toxic by dermal absorption and ingestion. Short-term dermal exposure to allethrin may cause itching, burning, tingling, numbness, or a feeling of warmth, but not dermatitis [2].

Are allethrin safe?

Allethrin is what is considered a “non-persistent insecticide”, meaning it breaks down easily in the environment. For this reason, allethrin is generally safe to be used outside and will degrade over time, leading to minimal toxicity for those who breathe it.

Is allethrin harmful to humans?

Direct skin contact with allethrin causes itching, burning and tingling feeling. When inhaled, it may worsen asthma in individuals who suffer from the disease. In others, it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and coordination difficulties. It is especially dangerous for infants, young children and pregnant women.

What is the best Thermacell to buy?

Our new top pick is the Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller. In nearly all ways, it improves on our previous pick, the Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent Gen 2.0.