DEET Technical Fact Sheet

As of 2011, NPIC stopped creating technical pesticide fact sheets. The old collection of technical fact sheets will remain available in this archive, ... [email protected] We'reopenfrom8:00AMto12:00PMPacificTime,Mon-Fri A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-ZIndex Health&Environment HumanHealth AnimalHealth SafeUsePractices FoodSafety Environment Air Water Soil Wildlife Plants PestControl IdentifyYourPest LearnAboutYourPest ControlYourPest IntegratedPestManagement PesticideProducts NPRO:PesticideProductSearch PesticideIngredients ActiveIngredients Other/InertIngredients Low-RiskPesticides OrganicPesticideIngredients PesticideIncidents HumanExposure PetExposure EnvironmentalIncident IllegalPesticideActivity ProblemWithLabelsorContainers Emergency HumanPoisonings PetPoisoning SpillsandContamination WildlifePoisoning/EnvironmentalIncident DEET TechnicalFactSheet Asof2011,NPICstoppedcreatingtechnicalpesticidefactsheets.Theoldcollectionoftechnicalfactsheetswillremainavailableinthisarchive,buttheymaycontainout-of-datematerial.NPICnolongerhasthecapacitytoconsistentlyupdatethem.Tovisitourgeneralfactsheets,clickhere.Forup-to-datetechnicalfactsheets,pleasevisittheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency’swebpage. ChemicalClassandType Physical/ChemicalProperties Uses ModeofAction ToxicityClassification AcuteToxicity ChronicToxicity EndocrineDisruption Carcinogenicity ReproductiveandTeratogenicEffects FateintheBody MedicalTestsandMonitoring EnvironmentalFate EcotoxicityStudies RegulatoryGuidelines MolecularStructure-DEET LaboratoryTesting:Beforepesticidesareregisteredby theU.S.EPA,theymustundergolaboratorytestingfor short-term(acute)andlong-term(chronic)healtheffects. Laboratoryanimalsarepurposelygivenhighenoughdoses tocausetoxiceffects.Thesetestshelpscientistsjudgehow thesechemicalsmightaffecthumans,domesticanimals, andwildlifeincasesofoverexposure. ChemicalClassandType: DEETisaninsectandacaridrepellent.TheInternationalUnionofPureandAppliedChemistry(IUPAC)nameforDEETis N,N-diethyl-m-toluamideandotherisomers,anditisamemberoftheN,N-dialkylamidefamilyofchemicals.TheChemical AbstractsService(CAS)registrynumberforDEETis134-62-3.1 DEETwasdevelopedbytheU.S.Armyin1946forprotectionofmilitary personnelininsect-infestedareas.DEETwasregisteredinthe UnitedStatesforusebythegeneralpublicin1957,andhasbeen commerciallymarketedasapersonalinsectrepellentsince1965. ARegistrationStandardwasestablishedforDEETbytheUnited StatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(U.S.EPA)in1980.DEET wasreregisteredin1998followingareviewoftheRegistration StandardandadditionalanimalandaviantoxicitydatafromaData Call-In(DCI)in1988.1SeethetextboxonLaboratoryTesting. Physical/ChemicalProperties: DEETisaliquidwithadistinct,faintodorandisalmostcolorless.1 Vaporpressure2:5.6x10-3mmHgat20°C Octanol-WaterPartitionCoefficient(logKow)2:2.02 Henry'sconstant2:2.1x10-8atm·m3/mol Molecularweight2:191.3g/mol Solubility(water)1:>1.0g/L(>1000mg/L)at25°C SoilSorptionCoefficient(Koc)2:3.00x102 DEETisaplasticizerandcandamagecertainrubber,plastic,vinyl,orelastic materialssuchascontactlenses,eyeglassframesandlenses,watchcrystals, combs,paintedandvarnishedsurfaces,andcertainsyntheticortreatedfabrics. DEETdoesnotdamagenaturalfibersincludingcottonandwool.3 Uses: DEETisusedtorepelbitingandflyinginsectssuchasbitingfliesandmidges,blackflies,chiggers,no-see-ums,fleas,mosquitoes, andticks.RepellentscontainingDEETareusedonavarietyofsites,includingthehumanbody,clothing,headgear, andhorses.Formulationsoftherepellentincludeliquids,pressurizedliquids,lotions,sticks,foams,andimpregnatedmaterials suchastowelettes.1,4UsesforindividualproductscontainingDEETvarywidely.Alwaysreadandfollowthelabelwhen applyingpesticideproducts. Ithasbeenpreviouslyestimatedthatapproximately30%oftheU.S.populationusesDEETannuallyasapersonalinsect repellent.1 SignalwordsforproductscontainingDEETmayrangefromCautiontoDanger.Thesignalwordreflectsthecombined toxicityoftheactiveingredientandotheringredientsintheproduct.Seethepesticidelabelontheproductandreferto theNPICfactsheetsonSignalWordsandInertor"Other"Ingredients. TofindalistofproductscontainingDEETwhichareregisteredinyourstate,visitthewebsite http://npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.htmlselectyourstatethenclickonthelinkfor"StateProducts." Sunscreen:TheU.S.EPAisreviewingadditionalinformationregardingtheuseofDEETincombinationwithsunscreen. Instructionstoapplysunscreen"generouslyandfrequently"areincontrasttotheU.S.EPA'srecommendationtouseDEET "sparingly".5 ModeofAction: TargetOrganisms ScientistshavenotdefinitivelydeterminedtheexactmodeofactionofDEETintargetorganisms.Researchindicatesthat DEETinterfereswithreceptorsinmosquito(andotherbitinginsects)antennaethatdetectL-lacticacidandcarbondioxide, theprimaryattractantsemittedbyhumansandotheranimals.InsectsexposedtoDEETaretherebyunabletoeffectively locateahost.6,7,8 Non-targetOrganisms ScientistshavenotdeterminedtheexactmechanismbywhichDEETmayaffectthenervoussysteminhumans.9 AcuteToxicity: Oral DEETislowintoxicitytoratswheningested.TheacuteoralLD50inratsis2170to3664mg/kg.1SeethetextboxesonToxicity ClassificationandLD50/LC50. TOXICITYCLASSIFICATION-DEET HighToxicity ModerateToxicity LowToxicity VeryLowToxicity AcuteOralLD50 Uptoandincluding50mg/kg(≤50mg/kg) Greaterthan50through500mg/kg(>50-500mg/kg) Greaterthan500through5000mg/kg(>500-5000mg/kg) Greaterthan5000mg/kg(>5000mg/kg) InhalationLC50 Uptoandincluding0.05mg/L(≤0.05mg/L) Greaterthan0.05through0.5mg/L(>0.05-0.5mg/L) Greaterthan0.5through2.0mg/L(>0.5-2.0mg/L) Greaterthan2.0mg/L(>2.0mg/L) DermalLD50 Uptoandincluding200mg/kg(≤200mg/kg) Greaterthan200through2000mg/kg(>200-2000mg/kg) Greaterthan2000through5000mg/kg(>2000-5000mg/kg) Greaterthan5000mg/kg(>5000mg/kg) PrimaryEyeIrritation Corrosive(irreversibledestructionof oculartissue)orcornealinvolvementor irritationpersistingformorethan21days Cornealinvolvementorother eyeirritationclearingin8- 21days Cornealinvolvementorother eyeirritationclearingin7 daysorless Minimaleffectsclearinginlessthan24hours PrimarySkinIrritation Corrosive(tissuedestructionintothe dermisand/orscarring) Severeirritationat72hours (severeerythemaoredema) Moderateirritationat72 hours(moderateerythema) Mildorslightirritationat 72hours(noirritationor erythema) Thehighlightedboxesreflectthevaluesinthe"AcuteToxicity"sectionofthisfactsheet.ModeledaftertheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OfficeofPesticidePrograms,LabelReviewManual,Chapter7:PrecautionaryLabeling.https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-04/documents/chap-07-mar-2018.pdf Dermal DEETislowintoxicitytorabbitswhenappliedtotheskin.TheacutedermalLD50inrabbitsis4280mg/kg.1 Researchersobservedslighttomoderatedermalirritationandslightedemainstudiesexposingrabbitstotechnicalgrade DEET.Dermalirritationresolvedwithinsevendays.10 Investigatorsdidnotobserveskinsensitizationinguineapigsorhumanstreatedwithtechnicalgradeorformulated DEET.10 Researchersobservedslighttomoderatecornealopacity,slightiritis,andmoderatetosevereconjunctivitisfollowing24- hourocularexposurestudiesinrabbitswithtechnicalgradeDEET.Symptomsgenerallyclearedwithinfivetosevendays. Conjunctivitispersistedbeyondsevendaysinsomestudies.10 LD50/LC50:Acommonmeasureofacutetoxicityisthelethal dose(LD50)orlethalconcentration(LC50)thatcausesdeath (resultingfromasingleorlimitedexposure)in50percent ofthetreatedanimals.LD50isgenerallyexpressedasthe doseinmilligrams(mg)ofchemicalperkilogram(kg)of bodyweight.LC50isoftenexpressedasmgofchemical pervolume(e.g.,liter(L))ofmedium(i.e.,airorwater)the organismisexposedto.Chemicalsareconsideredhighly toxicwhentheLD50/LC50issmallandpracticallynon-toxic whenthevalueislarge.However,theLD50/LC50doesnot reflectanyeffectsfromlong-termexposure(i.e.,cancer, birthdefectsorreproductivetoxicity)thatmayoccurat levelsbelowthosethatcausedeath. Inhalation DEETisverylowintoxicitytoratswheninhaled.Theacuteinhalation LC50inratsis5.95mg/L.1 SignsofToxicity-Animals ReportsofDEETtoxicosisinanimalsarerare.Clinicalsignsin dogsandcatsmayincludevomiting,tremors,excitation,ataxia, andseizures.11 SignsofToxicity-Humans Poisoncontrolcenterdatafrom1993-1997revealedthatsymptoms weredependentonthepathwayofexposure.Reported symptomsweremostfrequentlyassociatedwithocularexposure, witheffectsincludingeyeirritationorpain,andexcesstearing.12 Dermalsymptomswerereportedin5%ofreportstopoisoncontrolcentersfollowingDEETexposure.Symptomsincluded irritation,redness,rash,andswelling.12 GastrointestinalsymptomsreportedtopoisoncontrolcentersfollowingexposuretoDEETprimarilyoccurredfollowing ingestion.Gastrointestinalsymptomsincludedoralirritation,nausea,andvomiting.12 NeurologicalreactionsfromDEETexposurearerare.TheincidenceofseizurefollowingDEETexposureisestimatedtobe1 per100millionusersbetween1961and1998.Reportsofneurologicalreactionsarepredominatelytheresultofaccidental ordeliberateingestion,ordermalapplicationsnotconsistentwithlabeldirections.Reportedneurologicalsignsoftoxicity includeencephalopathy,seizure,tremor,slurredspeech,coma,anddeath.1,5,13 TheU.S.EPAandFIFRAScientificAdvisoryPanelconcludedthatthereportedincidencesofseizuresamongchildrenthat werepotentiallyrelatedtoDEETuseare"inconclusive"anddonotsupportacausallinkbetweenDEETandseizuresin children.1 Alwaysfollowlabelinstructionsandtakestepstominimizeexposure.Ifanyexposureoccurs,besuretofollowtheFirstAid instructionsontheproductlabelcarefully.Foradditionaltreatmentadvice,contactthePoisonControlCenterat1-800- 222-1222.IfyouwishtodiscussanincidentwiththeNationalPesticideInformationCenter,pleasecall1-800-858-7378. ChronicToxicity: Animals Oral ResearchersadministeredDEETinthedietofmaleandfemaleratsatdoses of10,30,or100mg/kg/dayformales,and30,100or400mg/kg/dayfor femalesfor2years.Researchersobservednotoxicityamongmalesatany doselevel,andobserveddecreasedbodyweight,decreasedfoodconsumption, andincreasedcholesterollevelsamongfemalesatthehighest dosetested.TheNOELsfororaltoxicityare100and400mg/kg/dayfor maleandfemalerats,respectively.1SeethetextboxonNOAEL,NOEL, LOAEL,andLOEL. NOAEL:NoObservableAdverseEffectLevel NOEL:NoObservedEffectLevel LOAEL:LowestObservableAdverseEffectLevel LOEL:LowestObservedEffectLevel ResearchersadministeredDEETintheformofgelcapsulestodogsatdosesof0,30,100,and400mg/kg/dayforoneyear. Atthehighestdosetested,investigatorsnoteddecreasedbodyweight,andincreasedincidenceofdrooling/salivation,and decreasedcholesterollevels.1 Dermal InvestigatorsappliedDEETtotheshavedbacksofmaleandfemaleratsatdosesof0,100,300,or1000mg/kg/dayfor90 days.Researchersobservednoeffectongeneralbehavioramonganytreatmentgroup.Dermalirritationpresentedasred andscabbedareasoftheskinforalltreatmentgroups.Researchersalsoobserveddecreasedbodyweightsofmaleratsat thehighestdosetested.ThesystemicNOELdeterminedfromthisstudywas300mg/kg/dayfordecreasedbodyweights, and100mg/kg/dayforlocaleffectsbasedondermalirritation.10 ResearchersappliedDEETtotheskinofmicropigs®atdosesof0,100,300,or1000mg/kg/day,fivedaysperweekfor13 weeks.Investigatorsobservedskineffects,includingdrynessanddesquamationatthesiteofapplicationforalldoses.Severity ofskineffectsincreasedwithincreaseddoselevel.Investigatorsdidnotobservesystemiceffectsatanydosetested. TheLOELforskinirritationwas100mg/kg,andtheNOELforsystemictoxicitywasdeterminedtobeequaltoorgreater than1000mg/kg/day.1,10 Humans NodatawerefoundonchronichealtheffectsfromDEETexposureinhumans.SeethetextboxonExposure. Exposure:EffectsofDEETonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentdependonhowmuch DEETispresentandthelengthandfrequencyofexposure.Effectsalsodependonthehealth ofapersonand/orcertainenvironmentalfactors. EndocrineDisruption: NodatawerefoundonendocrineeffectsfromDEETexposure. Carcinogenicity: Animals ResearchersfedDEETtomaleandfemaleratsinthedietfortwoyearsatdosesof10,30,or100mg/kg/day,and30,100,or 400mg/kg/day,respectively.Researchersfedmice250,500,or1,000mg/kg/dayfor18months,anddogs30,100,or400 mg/kg/day.Nospecifictargetorgantoxicityoroncogenicitywasobservedinanyoftheanimals.14 Researchersoftenusestudiesdesignedtotestformutagenicitytoscreenchemicalsforcarcinogenicity.Sufficientevidence indicatesthatDEETdoesnothavesignificantpotentialformutagenicity.15 Humans TheU.S.EPAclassifiedDEETas"GroupD-notclassifiableastohumancarcinogenicity"basedoninadequateevidenceof carcinogenicity,orlackofdatainlaboratoryanimalsandhumans.1SeethetextboxonCancer. Cancer:GovernmentagenciesintheUnitedStatesandabroadhavedevelopedprogramstoevaluatethe potentialforachemicaltocausecancer.Testingguidelinesandclassificationsystemsvary.Tolearnmore aboutthemeaningofvariouscancerclassificationdescriptorslistedinthisfactsheet,pleasevisitthe appropriatereference,orcallNPIC. ReproductiveorTeratogenicEffects: Animals Inatwo-generationstudy,researchersfedrats0,25,100,or250mg/kg/dayofDEETinthediet.Therewerenoadversereproductive effectsonfertility,gestation,orviability.Atthehighestdosetested,malepupsexhibitedreducedbodyweight atday7oflactation.Femalepupsexperiencedasignificantreductioninbodyweightat100mg/kg/dayatday14oflactation. TheNOELforreproductivetoxicitywas250mg/kg/day.1 ResearchersappliedDEETat1000mg/kg/daytotheskinofratsthroughoutpregnancy.Prenatalmortalityincreasedrelative tothecontrol(34.1%vs.20.9%).Mortalitybetweenbirthandweaningincreasedrelativetothecontrol(44.0%vs. 15.7%).16 ResearchersadministeredDEETtopregnantfemalerabbits(routeofexposurenotspecified)atdosesof0,30,100or325 mg/kg/dayfromdays6through18ofgestation.Scientistsdidnotobserveanycompound-relatedmaternaltoxicityor developmentaltoxicity.TheNOELformaternalanddevelopmenttoxicitywas325mg/kg/day.1 Humans Inadouble-blind,randomizedtrialofthesafetyofDEETtopreventmalariaduringpregnancy,femalesinthesecondand thirdtrimesterofpregnancyapplied20%DEETincarriersolution,orcarriersolutionalonetoexposedareasofthearms andlegsdailyuntildelivery.DEETcrossedtheplacentalbarrierandwasdetectedin8%ofcordbloodsamples.Nosignificant adverseeffectsweredetectedineitherthemotherorthefetusduringpregnancy,andinfantsshowednodifferences indevelopmentorsurvivalatbirthoratageone.14 FateintheBody: Absorption Animals ResearchersfedDEETtoratsandfoundpeakbloodconcentrationsoccurringat0.5hoursfollowingexposureformales andat2.0hoursfollowingexposureforfemales.Maleandfemaleratsabsorbed53.3%and65.3%oftheadministereddose, respectively.1 ResearchersdermallyappliedDEETtoratsandfoundthatbloodlevelsreachedaplateau1.5hoursafterapplication,and remainedatthatlevelfor24hours(untilterminationofstudy),indicatingthatasmallamountofDEETiscontinuously absorbedfromthesiteofapplication.Followingdermalapplication,maleandfemaleratsabsorbed17.0%and5.3%ofthe applieddose,respectively.1 Investigatorsanalyzedabsorptionratesofacommercialsunscreenproductscontaining9.5%DEETcomparedtoa20.0% DEETsolutionappliedtomouseskin.Thesunscreenproductwasinitiallyabsorbedfaster,andatarate3.4timeshigher, thanthe20.0%DEETsolution.17Scientiststreatedpigswith10%DEETaloneandincombinationwith5%oxybenzone sunscreeninaskinpenetrationstudy.ComparedtoDEETalone,thecombinationofDEETandsunscreensignificantlyincreased theabsorptionofDEETintotheskinoflaboratoryanimals.18SeesunscreeninformationunderUses. InvestigatorsappliedDEETtotheskinofratsfollowingoraladministrationofethanolatdosesof1.5,3.0,4.3,6.0,or10.0g/ kgtoobservetheeffectofethanolingestiononDEETdermalpenetration.Attwohourspost-treatment,ingestedethanol causedastatisticallysignificantdose-dependentincreaseinDEETabsorptionthroughtheskinat4.3,6.0,and10.0g/kg ethanol.At24hoursfollowingtreatment,researchersobservedenhancedabsorptionofDEETatdosesof6.0g/kgand10.0 g/kgethanol.Dosesofethanolthatcausedincreasedabsorptionarerelevanttohumanlevelsofalcoholconsumption.21 Humans ResearchersappliedtechnicalgradeDEET,andDEETformulatedina15%ethanolsolution,totheforearmskinofmale humanvolunteersforan8-hourexposureperiod.DEETwasabsorbedwithintwohoursafterapplicationandabsorption continuedataconstantrateoverthe8-hourexposureperiod.Researchersdeterminedthatatotalof5.6%ofthedoseof technicalgradeDEET,comparedto8.4%ofthedoseofDEETinethanolsolution,wasabsorbedthroughtheskin.19 InastudytodeterminetheeffectofethanolontheskinpermeationofDEET,investigatorsfoundthat10%DEETformulated with30-45%ethanoldemonstratedhigherskinpermeationthanasolutioncontainingonlyDEET.20 Distribution Animals Researchersdetectedverysmallconcentrationsofradio-labeledDEETprimarilyintheliver,kidney,lung,spleen,whole blood,andcarcassofexperimentalanimals.Totalradioactivityfoundinalltissuesaccountedforbetween0.15%and0.67% oftheadministereddose.1 Humans ResearchersappliedDEETtotheforearmskinofmalehumanvolunteersforan8-hourexposureperiodandfoundquantifiable levelsinplasmafor12hoursfollowingtheinitialapplication.DEETdidnotaccumulateinsuperficiallayersofhuman skin.19 Metabolism Animals Inrats,DEETisprimarilymetabolizedviaoxidationofthemethylgrouponthearomaticring,whichrepresents50%ofan administeredoraldose.TheothermetabolicpathwayofDEET(18%oftheadministeredoraldose)isviaringmethyloxidation incombinationwithN-dealkylationofanethylsubstituentontheamidemoiety.1,9 Humans ResearchersappliedDEETtotheforearmskinofmalehumanvolunteersforan8-hourexposureperiodandfoundthatthe entireabsorbeddose(5.6%and8.3%oftheapplieddose,dependingonformulation)wasmetabolizedpriortoexcretion. Researchersfoundsixmetabolites,withthetwomajormetabolites(upto68%oftotal)resultingfrommetabolicprocesses similartothoseobservedinratstudies.1,19 Aninvitrostudywithhumanlivermicrosomesdeterminedthatringmethylhydroxylationisthemajormetabolicpathway forDEETinhumans.ThispathwayisdependentonspecificCYP450isoforms,whoselevelsvaryconsiderablyamongindividuals.9,22 Excretion Animals DEETisexcretedprimarilyintheurineinlaboratoryanimals.1 ResearcherscomparedtheabsorptionandeliminationofDEETinthreespeciesofanimalsfollowingasingletopicalapplication. Ineachspecies,atleast75%oftheabsorbeddosewasdetectedintheurinewithinthefirstday,withelimination essentiallycompletewithin3-4daysforallanimals.23 Apharmacokineticstudyinratsexposedtoradio-labeledDEETmonitoredexcretionofthecompoundintheurineafter singleandmultipleoraldoses,aswellasasingledermaldose.Recoveryratesatsevendayspost-exposureforthesingleand multiple-oraldoseswerebetween85-91%fromtheurineand3-5%fromthefeces.Fromthedermaldose,74.0-78.0% wasrecoveredfromtheurine,4.0-7.0%fromthefecesand6.5%fromtheapplicationsiteatsevendayspost-exposure.24 Humans ResearchersappliedDEETtotheforearmskinofmalehumanvolunteersforan8-hourexposureperiodandfoundthat mostoftheabsorbeddosewaseliminatedwithin12hoursfollowingapplication,andnearlyalloftheabsorbeddosewas eliminatedwithin24hoursfollowingapplication.Essentiallyalloftheabsorbeddose(lessthan10%oftheapplieddose) wasexcretedintheurine.19 MedicalTestsandMonitoring: MethodsexistfortestingDEETinbloodandtissue,andDEETmetabolitesinurine.However,thesemethodsarenotwidely available.13 Researchersanalyzedurinesamplesfromarandom,representativesub-sampleof2535participantsfromthe2001-2002 NationalHealthandNutritionEnvironmentalAnalysesSurvey(NHANES)formetabolitesofDEET.Ninety-fivepercent(95%) oftheurinesamplestestedforDEETwerebelowthelimitofdetection(0.17μg/L).25 EnvironmentalFate: Soil DEETismoderatelymobileinsoil.2 DEETisstabletohydrolysisatsoilpHlevelstypicallyfoundintheenvironment.1 InvestigatorsobservedmicrobialdegradationofDEETbythesoilbacteriumP.putida,underconditionswhereDEETwas thesolecarbonsource.Theresultingmetabolicproductsare3-methylbenzoateanddiethylamine.Themetabolicpathway usedbyP.putidaisdifferentcomparedtoobservedpathwaysusedbyothereukaryotes.26 ResearchersobservedmetabolismofDEETinculturesofsoilfungi.C.elegansandM.ramannianuseffectivelymetabolized DEETyieldingseveralmetabolitesbyproposedmechanismsofN-oxidationandN-deethylation.Metabolicproductsofthe fungibreakdowndemonstratedlowertoxicitytoDaphniamagnacomparedtotheparentcompound.27 Water DEETispracticallyinsolubleinwater.15 DEEThasbeenfoundinwaterwherewastewateristhoughtto contributetostream-flow.Themedianlevelfoundwas0.05μg/L, withthehighestlevels(1.10μg/L)foundinstreamswithurban wastewater.28 Air DEETwillexistasavaporinambientairanddegradeviahydroxyl- radicalswithanestimatedhalf-lifeof15hours.2Seethetext boxonHalf-life. The"half-life"isthetimerequiredforhalfofthe compoundtobreakdownintheenvironment. 1half-life=50%remaining 2half-lives=25%remaining 3half-lives=12%remaining 4half-lives=6%remaining 5half-lives=3%remaining Half-livescanvarywidelybasedonenvironmental factors.Theamountofchemicalremainingaftera half-lifewillalwaysdependontheamountofthe chemicaloriginallyapplied.Itshouldbenotedthat somechemicalsmaydegradeintocompoundsof toxicologicalsignificance. Indoor NoindoorfatedatawerefoundforDEET. FoodResidue NofoodtoleranceshavebeenestablishedforDEET. EcotoxicityStudies: Birds DEETisslightlytoxictobirds(oralLD50=1375mg/kg).1 EC50:Themedianeffectiveconcentration(EC50)maybe reportedforsublethalorambiguouslylethaleffects.This measureisusedintestsinvolvingspeciessuchasaquatic invertebrateswheredeathmaybedifficulttodetermine. Thistermisalsousedifsublethaleventsarebeing monitored. Newman,M.C.;Unger,M.A.FundamentalsofEcotoxicology;CRCPress,LLC.: BocaRaton,FL,2003;p178. FishandAquaticLife DEETisslightlytoxictofreshwaterfish(LC50=75mg/L).1 DEETisslightlytoxictoaquaticinvertebrates(EC50=75ppm).1SeethetextboxonEC50. RegulatoryGuidelines: TheU.S.EPAhasclassifiedDEETas"GroupD-notclassifiableastohumancarcinogenicity"basedoninadequateevidence ofcarcinogenicity,orlackofdatainlaboratoryanimalsandhumans.1SeethetextboxonCancer. TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),NationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)and theOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)havenotestablishedrecommendedorregulatoryoccupational exposurelimitsforDEET. DateReviewed:July2008 Pleaseciteas:Jackson,D.;Luukinen,B.;Buhl,K.;Stone,D.2008.DEETTechnicalFactSheet;NationalPesticideInformation Center,OregonStateUniversityExtensionServices.http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/DEETtech.html. References: ReregistrationEligibilityDecision(RED)DEET;EPA738-R-98-010;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Officeof Prevention,PesticidesandToxicSubstances,OfficeofPesticidePrograms,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice:Washington, DC,1998;pp1-34. HazardousSubstancesDataBank(HSDB),DEET;HSDBNumber1582;U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices, NationalInstitutesofHealth,NationalLibraryofMedicine.http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov(accessedJan2008),updated March2003. TechnicalGuideNo.36:PersonalProtectiveMeasuresAgainstInsectsandOtherArthropodsofMilitarySignificance;Defense PestManagementInformationAnalysisCenter(DPMIAC),ArmedForcesPestManagementBoard(AFPMB):Washington, DC,2002;pp21-25. PesticideProducts.PestBank[CD-ROM]2007. ToxicityandExposureAssessmentforChildren'sHealth(TEACH)Summaries:Diethyltoluamide(DEET)ChemicalSummary; U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/DEET_summary.pdf(accessedAug 2007),updatedApril2007. Davis,E.E.;Sokolove,P.G.LacticAcid-sensitiveReceptorsontheAntennaeoftheMosquito,Aedesaegypti.J.Comp. Physiol.1976,105,43-54. McIver,S.B.AmodelforthemechanismofactionoftherepellentDEETontheAedesAegypti(Diptera:Culicidae).J. Med.Entomol.1981,18(5),357-361. Snow,W.F.Theeffectofareductioninexpiredcarbondioxideontheattractivenessofhumansubjectstomosquitoes. Bull.Ent.Res.1970,60,43-48. Sudakin,D.L.;Trevathan,W.R.DEET:Areviewandupdateofsafetyandriskinthegeneralpopulation.J.Toxicol.Clin. Toxicol.2003,41(6),831-839. Lewis,C.M.,Silva,M.,Sanborn,J.N,N-Diethyl-Meta-Toluamide(DEET)RiskCharacterizationDocument;California EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,DepartmentofPesticideRegulation:Sacramento,CA,2000;pp18-21,32-33. Gwaltney-Brant,S.InsecticidesandMolluscicides.ClinicalVeterinaryToxicology;Plumlee,K.H.,Ed.;Mosby,Inc.:St.Louis, 2004;pp177-192. Bell,J.W.;Veltri,J.C.;Page,12.B.C.HumanExposurestoN,N-diethyl-m-toluamideInsectRepellentsReportedtothe AmericanAssociationofPoisonControlCenters1993-1997.Int.J.Toxicol.2002,21(5),341-352. Reigart,J.R.;Roberts,J.R.OtherInsecticides,Acaricides,andRepellents.RecognitionandManagementofPesticide Poisonings,5thed.;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OfficeofPrevention,PesticidesandToxicSubstances,Office ofPesticidePrograms,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice:Washington,DC,1999;pp80-82. Schoenig,G.P.;Osimitz,T.G.;Gabriel,K.L.;Hartnagel,R.;Gill,M.W.;Goldenthal,E.I.EvaluationoftheChronicToxicityand OncogenicityofN,N-diethyl-m-toluamide(DEET).Toxicol.Sci.1999,47(1),99-109. Schoenig,G.P.;Osimitz,T.G.DEET.HandbookofPesticideToxicology,2nded.;Krieger,R.I.,Ed.;AcademicPress,Inc.:San Diego,2001;Vol.2,pp1439-1455. Knowles,C.O.MiscellaneousPesticides.HandbookofPesticideToxicology;HayesJr.,W.J.,LawsJr.,E.R.,Eds.;Academic Press,Inc.:SanDiego,1991;Vol.3,pp1500-1505. Ross,E.A.;Savage,K.A.;Utley,L.J.;Tebbett,I.R.Insectrepellentinteractions:sunscreensenhanceDEET(N,N-diethyl-mtoluamide) absorption.DrugMetab.Dispos.2004,32(8),783-785. Kasichayanula,S.;House,J.D.;Wang,T.;Gu,X.PercutaneouscharacterizationoftheinsectrepellentDEETandthe sunscreenoxybenzonefromtopicalskinapplication.Toxicol.Appl.Pharmacol.2007,223(2),187-194. Selim,S.;Hartnagel,R.E.,Jr.;Osimitz,T.G.;Gabriel,K.L.;Schoenig,G.P.Absorption,Metabolism,andExcretionofN,N,- Dietyl-m-toluamideFollowingDermalApplicationtoHumanVolunteers.Environ.Appli.Toxicol.1995,25,95-100. Stinecipher,J.;Shah,J.PercutaneousPermeationofN,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide(DEET)FromCommercialMosquito RepellentsandtheEffectofSolvent.J.Toxicol.Environ.Health1997,52,119-135. Brand,R.M.;Jendrzejewski,J.L.;Henery,E.M.;Charron,A.R.ASingleOralDoseofEthanolCanAlterTransdermal AbsorptionofTopicallyAppliedChemicalsinRats.Toxicol.Sci.2006,92(2),349-355. Usmani,K.A.;Rose,R.L.;Goldstein,J.A.;Taylor,W.G.;Brimfield,A.A.;Hodgson,E.InVitroHumanMetabolismand InteractionsofRepellentN,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide.DrugMetab.Dispos.2002,30(3),289-294. Snodgrass,H.L.;Nelson,D.C.;Weeks,M.H.Dermalpenetrationandpotentialforplacentaltransferoftheinsect repellent,N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide.Am.Ind.Hyg.Assoc.J.1982,43(10),747-753. Schoenig,G.P.;Hartnagel,R.E.,Jr.;Osimitz,T.G.;Llanso,S.Absorption,distribution,metabolism,andexcretionofN,Ndiethyl- M-toluamideintherat.DrugMetab.Dispos.1996,24(2),156-163. CDC.ThirdNationalReportonHumanExposuretoEnvironmentalChemicals;U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHuman Services,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention:Atlanta,2005. Rivera-Cancel,G.;Bocioaga,D.;Hay,A.G.BacterialDegradationofN,N-Diethyl-m-Toluamide(DEET):Cloningand HeterologousExpressionofDEETHydrolase.Appl.Environ.Microbiol.2007,73(9),3105-3108. Seo,J.;Lee,Y.G.;Kim,S.D.;Cha,C.J.;Ahn,J.H.;Hur,H.G.BiodegradationoftheInsecticideN,N-Diethyl-m-Toluamideby Fungi:IdentificationandToxicityofMetabolites.Arch.Environ.Contam.Toxicol.2005,48(3),323-328. Sandstrom,M.W.;Kolpin,D.W.;Thurman,E.M.;Zaugg,S.D.WidespreaddetectionofN,N-diethyl-m-toluamidein U.S.streams:comparisonwithconcentrationsofpesticides,personalcareproducts,andotherorganicwastewater compounds.Environ.Toxicol.Chem.2005,24(5),1029-1034. Pleaseread ourdisclaimer|Contactus|AboutNPIC|Enespañol NPICprovides objective,science-basedinformationaboutpesticidesand pesticide-relatedtopicstoenablepeopletomakeinformed decisions.NPICisacooperativeagreement betweenOregonState UniversityandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(cooperativeagreement #X8-83947901).Theinformationinthispublicationdoesnotinanyway replaceorsupersedetherestrictions,precautions,directions,or otherinformationonthepesticidelabeloranyotherregulatory requirements,nordoesitnecessarilyreflectthepositionofthe U.S.EPA.