Comprehensive Evaluation of Mosquito Repellent Products: Efficacy, Safety, and Public Health Implications

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria remain major public health challenges in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, where mosquito repellents are widely used as primary preventive tools. This study presents a comparative evaluation of commonly used repellent products, including mosquito coils, liquid vaporizers and aerosols, DEET-based creams, and natural formulations, focusing on their efficacy, protection duration, and potential health risks. Efficacy was assessed using controlled laboratory methods, including chamber-based exposure and arm-in-cage tests against Aedes aegypti (Barnard & Xue, n.d.). Safety was evaluated through in vivo toxicological analysis in a rat model, incorporating clinical observations, hematological and biochemical profiling, and histopathological examination. The results indicated an overall mean effectiveness of 85%, with DEET-based creams demonstrating the highest efficacy (95%), while natural repellents showed the lowest (70%). Mosquito coils provided the longest protection duration ([~]10 hours) but were associated with the highest health risk due to combustion-related emissions. Vaporizers and aerosols offered moderate efficacy with moderate health risk. Toxicological findings revealed that coil exposure induced significant respiratory stress, elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST), increased leukocyte count, and notable lung tissue damage. Vaporizer and aerosol exposure resulted in mild physiological changes, whereas DEET-based and natural repellents showed minimal systemic toxicity. Overall, the study highlights a clear trade-off between efficacy and safety across repellent types. These findings emphasize the need for informed product selection, stronger regulatory control, and the development of safer, cost-effective, and sustainable mosquito repellent technologies for effective vector control in endemic regions.