This might be of interest to those of you who are concerned about bug
repellant toxicity. I'd rather deal with these than Lyme disease,
meningitis, etc. but that is just my preference not to mention the
difference in viewing comfort level. Put Permethrin on your clothes and OFF
on your exposed skin. Both can be spayed on the grass around your observing
site but be careful to keep both off your optics and any plastic. Works for
me in Texas and Oklahoma.

Andy

----- Original Message -----
Newsgroups: sci.astro.amateur
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 5:42 PM
Subject: Re: Permethrin for Mosquitoes and Your Testes


> Just for some balance. Some selected permethrin info
>
>
> http://www.stjames.ie/nmic/licescabies/tlsperm.html
>
> ``There is no evidence of teratogenicity and so it may be used during
> pregnancy with caution.1,13 Permethrin may also be used in young
> children. Adverse reactions to permethrin are rare, the most commonly
> reported side effect being pruritus.3,13''
>
> http://www.1800pixtick.com/sx010002.htm
>
> `` Permethrin is virtually non-toxic to humans and no systemic effects
> have been reported. In EPA and FDA tests it was extremely rare to even
> have skin reddening, or other irritation.''
>
> http://www.edcp.org/html/permethrin.html
>
>
> `` Permethrin is a pyrethroid that can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed
> through skin.
>
> Depending on the formulation, permethrin is a non-toxic to moderately
> toxic pesticide. Short-term side effects in sensitive individuals
> include eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation, and may include
> breathing problems. Signs and symptoms of poisoning following very high
> exposure include abnormal facial sensation, dizziness, salivation,
> headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritability to sound and
> touch. Pulmonary edema, seizures, and fasciculations may occur in more
> severe cases. Permethrin DOES NOT cause cholinesterase inhibition. There
> are no laboratory tests to confirm the presence of permethrin in an
> individual.''
>
> `` Carcinogenic effects: The evidence regarding the carcinogenicity of
> permethrin is inconclusive.
>
> Organ toxicity: Permethrin is suspected of causing liver enlargement of
> the liver and nerve damage [9]. Effects on the immune system have been
> noted in animal studies.
>
> Fate in humans and animals: Permethrin is efficiently metabolized by
> mammalian livers [40]. Breakdown products, or "metabolites," of
> permethrin are quickly excreted and do not persist significantly in body
> tissues [41]. When permethrin is administered orally to rats, it is
> rapidly metabolized and almost completely eliminated from the body in a
> few days. Only 3 to 6% of the original dose was excreted unchanged in
> the feces of experimental animals [41]. Permethrin may persist in fatty
> tissues, with half-lives of 4 to 5 days in brain and body fat [9].
> Permethrin does not block, or inhibit, cholinesterase enzymes''
>
>
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/53a82.htm
>
> `` FORT LEE, NJ -- January 28, 1998 -- The United States Food and Drug
> Administration has granted approval to Alpharma Inc. to manufacture,
> market and distribute Permethrin Cream 5% for the treatment of
> scabies.''
>
>
> <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/permethrintopical202452.html
> #SXX16>
>
> `` Side Effects of This Medicine
>
> Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
> effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do
> occur they may need medical attention.
>
> Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or
> are bothersome:
>
> Less common or rare Burning, itching, numbness, rash, redness, stinging,
> swelling, or tingling of the scalp
>
> Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If
> you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.''
>
>
>
>
> -John
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> email: manbytsdog at aol dot com
>
> Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2001 7:57 AM
Subject: [M]: OT: Insect repellant


> A slightly off-topic post:
>
> With the summer months upon us, mosquitos and other insects are becoming a
> nuisance. I noticed this last year at my local dark-sky observing site
> near Dexter, Michigan (Peach Mountain for those who know it). I liberally
> applied Off! insect repellant before traversing down the path, but to no
avail.
>
> What is the group's consensus on the best repellant, keeping in mind that
> it's got to be strong enough as to not necessitate travelling back to the
> car to reapply; after all, the optics on our LX200s (on topic!) are
> sensitive to the repellant. In fact, in that vein, is there anything that
> can be reapplied near a telescope?
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Carl
>
> ____________________________________
> Carl Anderson
>
> +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
> "Relax, its only ONES and ZEROS!"
> +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
>
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
>
>
>

View index by [date] [author] [subject]
Previous message: [M]: Dampness, Wyatt, Michael A.
Next message: [M]: OT: Insect repellant, Carl Anderson
Next message in thread: [M]: OT: Insect repellant, Carl Anderson