Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has emerged the largest market
in Central India for illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks, exposing people
to a hidden public health threat. Companies offering legal mosquito repellent
solutions, along with institutions like The Home Insect Control Association
(HICA) — a non-profit industry association promoting the safe use of
household insecticides in India — have been actively cautioning people and
authorities about the dangers of such unapproved and illegal mosquito repellent
incense sticks that pose serious health risks.
The illegal incense stick market in India is estimated to be worth
over INR 1,800 crore, with Central India contributing around INR 500 crore. Madhya
Pradesh alone accounts for nearly INR 130 crore, making it one of the biggest
hubs for these unsafe and illegal products.
Marketed as “herbal” or “natural,” illegal
mosquito repellent incense sticks often contain unapproved chemicals. Prolonged
exposure may lead to respiratory problems, particularly among children, the
elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. These illegal
incense sticks are sold at local stores, general shops, and even pharmacies at
prices between INR 10–15, but people remain unaware of the danger they are
bringing into their homes.
The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC),
under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is the authority
that approves chemicals for use in mosquito repellents in India. Any chemical
intended for use in mosquito insect repellents must be registered with CIBRC
before it can be manufactured, imported, or sold in the country. Government CIBRC-approved mosquito repellents carry a CIR (Central
Insecticide Registration) which is specified on the packaging, guaranteeing
authenticity and safety of the product. These illegal
mosquito incense sticks lack approval (CIB&RC). They bypass the mandatory three-year
safety testing process, display no
registration numbers, and are often manufactured by untraceable operators with no
accountability for quality or safety.
Raising health concerns
over this growing menace, Dr. Mukesh
Sanklecha, Consultant
Paediatrician, Bombay Hospital
Institute of Medical Sciences, said,
“Be cautious of smoke-based repellents like unregulated
incense sticks. These are often made with illegally imported and unapproved
chemicals. While they may seem affordable, they lack quality control and
could pose serious health risks. Instead, choose repellents from trusted brands
that are CIBRC-approved to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
The Home Insect
Control Association (HICA), a non-profit organization working closely with
state and central government authorities, has been actively cracking down on
illegal incense stick manufacturers. Between 2018 and 2024, HICA has supported
over 100 raids on producers, wholesalers, and sellers of these hazardous
products across the country, while raising public awareness and promoting
safety compliance.
Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary, Home
Insect Control Association (HICA), said, As the threat of mosquito-borne diseases
like malaria and dengue is ever increasing, prevention is critical. However, a
major critical concern is the rampant use of illegal mosquito repellent incense
sticks, which have entered homes across Madhya Pradesh. Illegal mosquito
repellent incense sticks are sold under dubious names like High Voltage, Relax,
Chhu Mantar, No Entry, and contain illegal chemicals, which is not approved by
CIBRC. Any mosquito repellent is mandated to undergo rigorous testing for 3
years to ensure they meet safety and efficacy standards, providing people with
the peace of mind of knowing that using these products won’t harm them in any
way. These illegal repellent incense sticks
manufactured by unscrupulous players do not go through the government regulated
manufacturing processes and bypass essential checks on safety parameters of
skin, eye and respiratory system which is mandated for all home insecticide
products.
Jayant Deshpande further added, “Madhya
Pradesh has emerged as one of the biggest markets for illegal mosquito
repellent incense sticks. These illegal repellents bypass both legal and
financial processes, leading to tax evasion as well. To safeguard against
mosquito-borne disease, people should only use government-approved mosquito
repellents with a registration number (starting with CIR) printed on the
packaging. The registration number (CIR number) is mentioned
followed by the year of approval by the government which guarantees the
authenticity and safety of the product.”
Rohit Vengurlekar, Head - Product & Category Direction -Home
care, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL) from the company that makes
Goodknight, “The growing circulation of illegal mosquito
repellent incense sticks that are unregulated, unsafe, and made using
unapproved chemicals is a serious concern. As leaders in mosquito repellents,
GCPL is concerned about the situation. At GCPL, Goodknight remains committed to
protecting families and advocating for safer, trusted and science-backed
choices. Our Goodknight mosquito repellents are fully compliant with government
regulations, made using approved active ingredients, and tested for safety and
efficacy. We urge consumers in Madhya Pradesh to be cautious and certified,
government-approved products with a valid CIR number.”
The use of unapproved mosquito repellent
products not only poses a serious health hazard but also undermine India’s
fight against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, since their
efficacy remains untested and unreliable. Only certified, CIB&RC-approved
repellents ensure that the product has undergone thorough evaluation for both
safety and effectiveness, helping safeguard households across the country.