Half of Consumers Mistakenly Believe Mosquito Agarbattis Sold at Chemists Are Safe: HICA Report

A new study released ahead of National Dengue Day has raised concerns over the widespread use of illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis in Indian households, with doctors warning that prolonged exposure could trigger serious respiratory complications.

The research, commissioned by Home Insect Control Association (HICA) and conducted by Kantar, surveyed 1,264 households and 405 doctors across 12 Indian cities.

The study found that 48% of consumers consider mosquito agarbattis safe simply because they are sold at chemist shops, a perception that 56% of doctors described as dangerous.

Additionally, 50% of consumers believed herbal or citronella-based mosquito repellents were safe alternatives. However, 66% of doctors surveyed warned that such products may carry even higher risks due to misleading claims and lack of regulatory oversight.

The report states that India’s mosquito agarbatti market is worth approximately ₹2,000 crore, with nearly 85% controlled by illegal or unregulated products that do not carry mandatory Central Insecticides Registration (CIR) approval.

The study also found that 59% of households use these products, while nearly half have been using them daily for more than three years.

Jayant Deshpande, Secretary & Director of HICA, said, “A huge share of mosquito agarbattis sold at local stores and chemist outlets is untested, illegal, and lacks the mandatory CIR registration number. Consumers should look for products that clearly display the CIR registration number and avoid those with vague claims or missing regulatory disclosures.”

Doctors surveyed linked regular exposure to illegal mosquito agarbattis with respiratory irritation, allergies, and increasing healthcare expenses inside households.

The report highlighted the urgent need for stronger consumer awareness and stricter enforcement against unregulated mosquito repellent products.