Can You Take Mosquito Coils on a Plane?
WouterUsing mosquito coils is an effective way to keep insects from causing disease. However, there are some health concerns regarding their use. This is especially true if they are used indoors.
The smoke from mosquito coils contains pyrethroids, which are chemicals that are known to irritate the respiratory system. They are not a good choice to be snuck into carry-on bags or checked luggage.
According to official malaria prevention guidelines, mosquito coils should be used outside. But, some medical professionals have raised concerns about them inside homes.
One study investigated the effects of insecticide-containing mosquito coils on malaria incidence. The study evaluated three commercial coil products to see their efficacy against Anopheles gambiae, which is a mosquito species found in southern Ghana. The researchers searched the Internet and bibliographic databases for citations and conference proceedings.
They then wrote to the manufacturers to seek advice. A chi square analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the malaria incidence rate reported by the respondents who applied mosquito coils and the control group. The results showed that the test cohort had an incidence rate of 86.3 percent, while the control group had an incidence rate of 72.4 percent.
Another study tested the effects of pyrethroid-based mosquito coils on feeding inhibition and resting behavior in mice. They compared the effects of these pesticide-based coils with a control group that did not use mosquito repellency methods.
The results showed that the inhalation toxicity of mosquito coil smoke was confirmed by major vital organ tissue morphological changes. This was accompanied by reduced body weight.
