Mumbai: A comprehensive
public health study by Home Insect Control Association (HICA), a non-profit
industry body that promotes the safe use of household insecticides in
India released ahead of National Dengue Day (May 16), reveals that illegal
mosquito repellent agarbattis have emerged as a bigger and immediate health
threat than the mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria they are meant to
prevent. Commissioned by Home Insect Control Association (HICA), the research
was conducted by Kantar, the market research company. While 95% of households
surveyed did not report any mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or dengue in
the past year, 70% of doctors classify illegal mosquito agarbattis containing
unapproved chemicals as a "major respiratory hazard". comparable,
according to 67% of doctors, to the health risks posed by cigarette smoke
The survey was recently conducted
across 12 cities among 1,264 households and 405 doctors, including
pulmonologists, paediatricians, general physicians and gynaecologists, and
highlights a growing health crisis inside Indian homes driven by the widespread
use of illegal mosquito agarbattis.
The scale of the problem is
significant. The mosquito repellent agarbatti market in India is valued at
approximate ₹2,000 crore, with up to 85% dominated by illegal or unregulated
players - products that carry no government approval, no mandatory Central
Insecticides Registration (CIR) label, and no clear ingredient disclosure. These
products are commonly sold under names such as Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax,
Sun-Relax, Subhanithra, Hunting Tiger, High Voltage, Happy Night, Dengue Killer
and Hi-Power, often without regulatory approvals or clear ingredient
disclosures. Yet 59% of Indian
households report using such products, with half doing so daily for more than
three years.
Adding to this, Jayant Deshpande,
Secretary & Director of the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) said,
“A huge share of mosquito agarbattis sold at local stores and chemist
outlets is untested, illegal, and lacks the mandatory CIR registration number.
Consumers should look for products that clearly display the CIR registration number
and avoid those with vague claims or missing regulatory disclosures."
Doctors surveyed paint a concerning
picture of what prolonged exposure is doing inside homes. 84% link the regular
use of illegal mosquito agarbattis to rising household healthcare costs. Adding to the concern is a widespread
perception gap. 48% of consumers consider a product safe simply because it is
sold at a chemist, a belief that 56% of doctors specifically flag as dangerous.
A further 50% of consumers believe herbal or citronella-based variants are
safe, while 66% of doctors say such products carry even higher risks due to
misleading claims and the absence of any regulatory oversight.
The
survey highlights a significant awareness gap, with nearly 55% of doctors
noting that families are unaware of safer, approved alternatives and continue
to rely on easily available illegal mosquito agarbatti despite the risks.
Commenting on the insights from
the Kantar report, Dr. Sanjith Saseedharan Director - Critical Care,
S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate said, “While mosquito
repellent is vital to safeguard infections like dengue fever, one must be
careful to avoid constant exposure to smoke emanating from these products,
including mosquito agarbattis. The problem arises because some of the mosquito
repellents sold in the market do not meet the required standard since some
products can contain toxic substances like pyrethroids, organophosphates, heavy
metals, and other compounds that can irritate the respiratory tract.
Respiratory problems and allergies caused by these illegal mosquito agarbattis
are becoming more common among those who use them continuously at home.
Vulnerable groups include children, older adults, patients with asthma, and people suffering from COPD, as inhaling these fumes can exacerbate respiratory complications and lead to constant coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing due to respiratory irritation. Something that is believed to provide a cheap and safe solution can actually pose serious health hazards in case of constant exposure. It would be best for people to use mosquito repellents that are safe and approved by the authorities & have undergone safety testing indoors.”
The findings highlight the need for greater awareness and informed decision-making among consumers, as well as stronger enforcement against unregulated products, to ensure that everyday mosquito protection does not come at the cost of long-term health.