Development of an observational exposure human biomonitoring study to assess Canadian children’s DEET exposure during protective use
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2022-08-04
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Gibson, Jennifer C.
- Marro, Leonora
- Borghese, Michael M.
- Brandow, Danielle
- Remedios, Lauren
- Fisher, Mandy
- Malowany, Morie
- Kieliszkiewicz, Katarzyna
- Lukina, Anna O.
- Irwin, Kim
- Publisher
- PLOS
Abstract
Biomonitoring data of N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) in children is scarce and limited to controlled exposure and surveillance studies. We conducted a 24-hour observational exposure and human biomonitoring study designed to estimate use of and exposure to DEET-based insect repellents by Canadian children in an overnight summer camp setting. Here, we present our study design and methodology. In 2019, children between the ages of 7 and 13 took part in the study (n = 126). Children controlled their use of DEET-based insect repellents, and provided an account of their activities at camp that could impact insect repellent absorption. Children provided a total of 389 urine samples throughout the study day, and reported the time that they applied insect repellent, which allowed us to contextualize urinary DEET and metabolite concentrations with respect to the timing of insect repellent application. DEET (2.3%
Plain language summary
Health Canada helps to protect the health of Canadians by assessing and managing the health risks associated with exposure to environmental contaminants. This research addresses a knowledge gap in the literature regarding the exposure of Canadian children to DEET-based bug sprays when they are using them as they would normally to protect against bug bites. Personal insect repellents, commonly referred to as bug sprays, are important to help protect against biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks. The most common and one of the most effective ingredients in bug sprays is DEET. DEET is the common name for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. This study compared the reported behaviour of bug spray use and daily camp activities of 124 Canadian children with DEET and DEET metabolites measured in collected urine samples over the course of a 24 hour period. Researchers used time difference models to align urine samples with bug spray application times, to take into account absorption, distribution, and excretion of DEET and metabolites. The time differences examined were 0, 2, and 4 hours between the relevant bug spray application and urine sampling times. The highest geometric means of DEET in urine was observed within the first 0 to 8 hours of exposure. The highest geometric means of the metabolites DCBA and DHMB were observed within 8 to 14 hours of exposure. This study demonstrates that a real world exposure scenario can produce viable and informative human biomonitoring data, to help reduce the uncertainties associated with the risk assessment of children's exposure to environmental chemicals. This study was conducted to provide modern, relevant exposure data to support the legislated re-evaluation of DEET.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety