FAQ
Q. How does it work?
A. Female biting insects require protein to lay eggs. They are attracted to animals by skin odours and carbon dioxide from exhaled breath. The active ingredients in repellents make the person unattractive for feeding.
Q. Which insects are repelled?
A. Biting insects. Stinging insects like wasps and bees are unaffected.
Q. Does it work on all biting insects?
A. Pretty well. Scientific testing has been performed on midges, mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, stable flies, blackflies, deer keds and land leeches. Specifically, just the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes cantans, Aedes increpitus, Aedes melanimon, Anopheles sundaicus, Aedes taeniorhynchus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles freeborni, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Anopheles stephensii, Coquillettidia richardii, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex sitiens and Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus.
Q. What is the generic name for Citriodiol®?
A. Unfortunately, the authorities who regulate insect repellents in different countries have given Citriodiol® a variety of different generic names. Here is a quick guide:
USA - Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)
Canada - PMD and related oil of lemon eucalyptus compounds
Australia - Extract of Lemon Eucalyptus, acid modified
Citriodiol® is expected to be known as PMD Rich Botanic Oil (PMDRBO) in Europe, but at the moment it is generally referenced as “a mixture of cis- and trans-p-mehtane-3,8-diol/citriodiol”.
While some publications and even regulatory authorities do refer to Citriodiol® as “PMD”, this is not accurate. PMD is only one of the components in Citriodiol®. The rest is made up of the other components derived from eucalyptus citriodora oil. Researchers have shown that pure PMD is about 50% less effective as a repellent than PMD left in this natural mixture (i.e. Citriodiol®). See Drapeau, J, et al. Green synthesis of para-Menthane-3,8-diol from Eucalyptus citriodora: Application for repellent products. C. R. Chimie (2011), doi:10.1016/j.crci.2011.02.008.
Q. Is Citriodiol® safe?
A. Extensive testing has shown that Citriodiol® has low acute toxicity, is not a sensitiser, has no phototoxic potential, is non-mutagenic, passes the chromosome aberration test, is negative for inducing forward mutations at the TK locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, is negative in in vivo mouse micronucleus assay, and has no reproductive or adverse developmental effect at the limit dose tested. Citriodiol® is also ready biodegradable and not a threat to the environment.
Q. What is the European Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC and European Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR)?
A. The BPD has been put in place to control the use of biocides in the EU. This Directive will be replaced by the BPR on 1 September 2013. Insect repellents fall under the BPD/R within Product Type 19 and as such Citrefine International Ltd notified the active substance Citriodiol® (also known by its generic name pmd rich botanic oil) to the European Chemical Bureau (ECB). Submission to the ECB has been handles by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) who act as the “Competent Authority” in the UK. The BPD/R is intended to limit use of biocides, including repellents, which are unable to meet strict requirements for efficacy, consumer health and safety and safety to the environment. Other repellents that are approved or going through this approval process include DEET, KBR3023 (Picaridin) and IR3535. These are chemical, synthetic substances and therefore do not offer the unique value a naturally sourced material brings to consumers. Substances such as citronella and neem oil which have gone unsupported are no longer allowed in products making repellency claims. Dossier submissions under the BPD/R are extensive and time consuming. Citriodiol® is and will be the only effective, naturally sourced insect repellent suitable for adults and use children. As with any biocide, repellents should be used safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
Q. What are the problems with DEET?
A. DEET is a chemical derived from coal tar. It is an effective repellent but has associated problems. DEET passes easily through the skin taking with it any other chemical that may be present. The plasticising effect of DEET means that it should not come into contact with man-made fibres, hard plastics and rubber, as it destroys their integrity.
European Authorities have approved DEET for sale in Europe with significant limitations on product concentration and age of user.
For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Q. How does it work?
A. Female biting insects require protein to lay eggs. They are attracted to animals by skin odours and carbon dioxide from exhaled breath. The active ingredients in repellents make the person unattractive for feeding.
Q. Which insects are repelled?
A. Biting insects. Stinging insects like wasps and bees are unaffected.
Q. Does it work on all biting insects?
A. Pretty well. Scientific testing has been performed on midges, mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, stable flies, blackflies, deer keds and land leeches. Specifically, just the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes cantans, Aedes increpitus, Aedes melanimon, Anopheles sundaicus, Aedes taeniorhynchus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles freeborni, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Anopheles stephensii, Coquillettidia richardii, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex sitiens and Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus.
Q. What is the generic name for Citriodiol®?
A. Unfortunately, the authorities who regulate insect repellents in different countries have given Citriodiol® a variety of different generic names. Here is a quick guide:
USA - Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)
Canada - PMD and related oil of lemon eucalyptus compounds
Australia - Extract of Lemon Eucalyptus, acid modified
Citriodiol® is expected to be known as PMD Rich Botanic Oil (PMDRBO) in Europe, but at the moment it is generally referenced as “a mixture of cis- and trans-p-mehtane-3,8-diol/citriodiol”.
While some publications and even regulatory authorities do refer to Citriodiol® as “PMD”, this is not accurate. PMD is only one of the components in Citriodiol®. The rest is made up of the other components derived from eucalyptus citriodora oil. Researchers have shown that pure PMD is about 50% less effective as a repellent than PMD left in this natural mixture (i.e. Citriodiol®). See Drapeau, J, et al. Green synthesis of para-Menthane-3,8-diol from Eucalyptus citriodora: Application for repellent products. C. R. Chimie (2011), doi:10.1016/j.crci.2011.02.008.
Q. Is Citriodiol® safe?
A. Extensive testing has shown that Citriodiol® has low acute toxicity, is not a sensitiser, has no phototoxic potential, is non-mutagenic, passes the chromosome aberration test, is negative for inducing forward mutations at the TK locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, is negative in in vivo mouse micronucleus assay, and has no reproductive or adverse developmental effect at the limit dose tested. Citriodiol® is also ready biodegradable and not a threat to the environment.
Q. What is the European Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC and European Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR)?
A. The BPD has been put in place to control the use of biocides in the EU. This Directive will be replaced by the BPR on 1 September 2013. Insect repellents fall under the BPD/R within Product Type 19 and as such Citrefine International Ltd notified the active substance Citriodiol® (also known by its generic name pmd rich botanic oil) to the European Chemical Bureau (ECB). Submission to the ECB has been handles by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) who act as the “Competent Authority” in the UK. The BPD/R is intended to limit use of biocides, including repellents, which are unable to meet strict requirements for efficacy, consumer health and safety and safety to the environment. Other repellents that are approved or going through this approval process include DEET, KBR3023 (Picaridin) and IR3535. These are chemical, synthetic substances and therefore do not offer the unique value a naturally sourced material brings to consumers. Substances such as citronella and neem oil which have gone unsupported are no longer allowed in products making repellency claims. Dossier submissions under the BPD/R are extensive and time consuming. Citriodiol® is and will be the only effective, naturally sourced insect repellent suitable for adults and use children. As with any biocide, repellents should be used safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
Q. What are the problems with DEET?
A. DEET is a chemical derived from coal tar. It is an effective repellent but has associated problems. DEET passes easily through the skin taking with it any other chemical that may be present. The plasticising effect of DEET means that it should not come into contact with man-made fibres, hard plastics and rubber, as it destroys their integrity.
European Authorities have approved DEET for sale in Europe with significant limitations on product concentration and age of user.
For more information, please CLICK HERE.
