Illegal Mosquito Agarbattis Pose Bigger Health Risk Than Dengue, Warns HICA Study
The report identified commonly sold brands such as Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax, Sun-Relax, Subhanithra, Hunting Tiger, High Voltage, Happy Night, Dengue Killer and Hi-Power as examples of products often sold without
Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Director – Critical Care at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, said some mosquito repellents sold in the market may contain harmful substances such as pyrethroids, organophosphates and heavy metals that can irritate the respiratory tract.
Mumbai: Illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis sold across India may pose a greater immediate health threat than mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, according to a public health study released by the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) ahead of National Dengue Day on May 16.
The study, commissioned by HICA and conducted by market research firm Kantar, found that while 95 per cent of surveyed households did not report any mosquito-borne illnesses in the past year, 70 per cent of doctors classified illegal mosquito agarbattis containing unapproved chemicals as a “major respiratory hazard.” Around 67 per cent of doctors compared the health risks from such products to cigarette smoke exposure.
The survey was conducted across 12 cities and covered 1,264 households and 405 doctors, including pulmonologists, paediatricians, general physicians and gynaecologists.
According to the report, India’s mosquito repellent agarbatti market is estimated at nearly ₹2,000 crore, with up to 85 per cent dominated by illegal or unregulated products lacking mandatory Central Insecticides Registration (CIR) approval and ingredient disclosures.
The report identified commonly sold brands such as Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax, Sun-Relax, Subhanithra, Hunting Tiger, High Voltage, Happy Night, Dengue Killer and Hi-Power as examples of products often sold without clear regulatory approvals.
The study found that 59 per cent of households use such mosquito agarbattis, with nearly half reporting daily use for more than three years. Doctors participating in the survey linked prolonged exposure to rising household healthcare costs, with 84 per cent expressing concern over long-term respiratory impacts.
Jayant Deshpande, Secretary and Director of HICA, said a large share of mosquito agarbattis sold through local stores and chemist outlets are untested and illegal.
“Consumers should look for products that clearly display the CIR registration number and avoid those with vague claims or missing regulatory disclosures,” he said.
The report also highlighted significant awareness gaps among consumers. Nearly 48 per cent of respondents considered a product safe merely because it was sold at a chemist outlet, a perception that 56 per cent of doctors described as dangerous. Half the surveyed consumers believed herbal or citronella-based variants were safe, while 66 per cent of doctors warned that such products may pose even greater risks due to misleading claims and lack of oversight.
Around 55 per cent of doctors said many families remain unaware of safer approved alternatives and continue using illegal mosquito agarbattis because of easy availability and low prices.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Director – Critical Care at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, said some mosquito repellents sold in the market may contain harmful substances such as pyrethroids, organophosphates and heavy metals that can irritate the respiratory tract.
He warned that children, elderly people, asthma patients and those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable to the effects of prolonged exposure, which may cause coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.
The report called for stronger enforcement against unregulated products and greater consumer awareness to ensure household mosquito protection measures do not compromise long-term health.
