KOCHI: The abundance of stagnant water in most areas of the state make it a very fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes, that seem to trouble us incessantly through the day. The most commonly used repellent to counter these buzzing attackers are the mosquito coils and electric vapourizers, which are actually more dangerous than they are helpful.Recognizing the adverse effects of these mosquito repellents, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow (CIMAP) a plants research laboratory under the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR), in association with Strategi Labs has developed ‘Just Spray’, a room-freshener with a 100% composition of essential oils and herbal extracts and with absolutely zero chemicals.According to John Thomas, MD, Strategi Labs, the spray is a unique blend of plant extracts and aromatic oils that keeps mosquitoes away for 10-12 hours.“One mosquito coil is equivalent to burning 100 cigarettes,” say Chest Foundation Director Dr Sandeep Salvi and Dr Ang Ai Tin, of Pediatric Centre in Thomson Medical Centre, Malaysia. Pediatricians also advise that it is safer to avoid applying mosquito repellent creams and lotions on babies chances of toxic reactions are high. Tests say that physical and chemical properties of the mosquito coil are more hazardous than cigarrettes as smoke emitted by these coils consists of submicron particles coated with a considerable amount of heavy metals, allethrins and a other organic vapours.“To avoid health hazards of normal repellents, the scientists from CIMAP have created this chemical-free room spray,” says Dr A K Singh, Head of Technology and Business Development, CIMAP.
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