Over the past few months or so, the upper and mid-western states of the US have been hammered with record rain and floods right into the summer season. These massive amounts of water, combined with the dirt, debris, animal carcass', trash and other materials floating in the remains of homes, businesses, hotels and other affected premises, have given the survivors of these flood zones much to contend with as the water subsides.

One of the major problems currently being faced by rescue workers and locals alike is the inundation of very aggressive mosquitoes. Some reports estimate the mosquito population in these flood-torn areas as high as 20 times more than the same period last year. And although these particular mosquitoes currently do not carry any disease (such as West Nile Virus), it is predicted that, as per the timing of WNV each year, this could well turn into a catastrophe rivaling the floods themselves.

Traditionally, rescue workers in areas affected by mosquitoes would plaster themselves with a well known, but potentially dangerous chemical called DEET. Found in most popular insect repellents, DEET has been proven effective since World War II in keeping mosquitoes away and comes in either a spray, lotion or gel form. However, in situations such as this, where the very people who need protection are forced to work in and around water for days, weeks and months, DEET easily washes away from skin and clothing, leaving the wearer without any protection at all. In fact, any repellent in liquid form will do the same thing - no matter how well it works.

Solid, all natural repellents that are waterproof - such as Bug Bam - are key to the successful protection of rescue workers and residents from aggressive mosquitoes and, ultimately, the potential of contracting deadly disease from mosquito attacks. Not only does a product such as Bug Bam offer protection when wet or dry, but it removes the concerns of toxic chemicals (such as DEET) being added to the aready dirtied landscape. In fact, when a Bug Bam wristband or grid has expired (after 100 hours),it can be easily recycled by sending it back to the manufacturer. Something no other repellent on the market can offer.

So if you're one of the many thousands affected by these floods, related to someone who is, or kindly helping those that are, remember that a liquid repellent not only needs re-application every 2 to 3 hours, but loses all effectiveness as soon as you get it wet. Bug Bam keeps working for you whether it's wet or dry. Perfect for the post-flood cleanup.

DEET in our Drinking Water?

By Joseph M. Symond

June 26 2008

Some alarming news came across my desk today and I wanted all of you to know about it.

If you thought DEET was dangerous before, your toes will curl after you read this article by the Chicago Sun Times and reprinted by the Dept of Homeland Security.

Feel free to forward this newsletter on to as many people as possible and let them know.
DEET in your drinking water?

What Everyone Needs to Know
 
Every year, 100 million Americans slather on insect repellant to enjoy their outdoor barbecues, picnics and activities without getting bitten or stung. However, in the repellants used by about one-third of the U.S. population is a powerful chemical commonly known as DEET.

DEET, a neurotoxin, has been detected in lakes and rivers.

And as soon as you come inside and wash DEET from your skin and clothing (something the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you do right away), that DEET gets washed down the drain, and is now showing up in rivers and lakes.guy in hula shirt

According to testing done for the Chicago Sun-Times, DEET is also present in your drinking water.

Though the amounts detected were low -- 8.3 parts per trillion -- the testing was done during March, when insect repellant use was still low. And according to some experts, this is still cause for alarm.

"This raises a red flag. [When] you have so many people using it, the risk is there," Mohamed Abou-Dania, a professor at Duke University, told the Sun-Times.

DEET is a Neurological Toxin
What makes the finding of DEET in drinking water so concerning is the fact that DEET is potentially very toxic, particularly to children. While the EPA maintains that the chemical is safe when used correctly, studies have shown that when used in high amounts, or for long periods of time, DEET is far from safe.

Up to one-third of the U.S. population uses DEET-containing insect repellants.

DEET has been shown to cause nervous-system damage, including:

    * Insomnia

    * Mood changes

    * Disorientation and clumsiness when walking

    * Seizures

    * Coma

    * Even death

And according to studies by Abou-Dania, while lab rats had no reaction to DEET when it was used for 30 days, after 60 days their brain cells started to die.

Adding to the problem is the fact that DEET does not degrade quickly, nor does it breakdown much as it passes through sewage or drinking-water treatment plants.

Scientists are worried that DEET may collect in the sediment of streams and prove toxic to birds, fish and other wildlife.

Bug Bam repels insects from your backyard using only the scent of natural plant oils and contains NO DEET.

"A little bit seems to go a long way in the environment," said Dana W. Kolpin, a research hydrologist with the Geological Survey in Iowa City, Ia., in the Sun-Times.