Mosquito Coil Smoke May Trigger Breathing Problems in Children, Paediatricians Warn
Pediatricians have warned that children who are exposed to the smoke from mosquito coils while sleeping may experience breathing problems, especially if the coils are burned indoors in poorly ventilated rooms.
Children may be more susceptible to indoor pollutants because their airways are smaller and still developing, the experts said. Younger children also sleep longer, which may lead to more exposure to smoke.
The chemicals emitted by burning mosquito coils can stay in closed rooms and irritate children’s airways, Dr Abdurrazzaq Alege, Head of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, said.
Exposure can lead to coughing, noisy breathing and trouble breathing, and children who are susceptible to asthma may have an asthma attack, he said.
But Alege warned that the smoke from mosquito coils should not be directly associated with permanent lung damage, as the immediate problem is the induction of respiratory symptoms in vulnerable children.
In a study published in CHEST, it was found that burning mosquito coils in a closed bedroom for 6 hours produced high levels of fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide. The researchers also discovered that improved ventilation lowered pollutant levels.
Dr Femi Akodu, Consultant Paediatrician at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, advised parents to limit their children’s exposure to mosquito-coil smoke and seek medical help if their children experience difficulty breathing.
He suggested that mosquito nets, suitable repellents, proper ventilation and removal of stagnant water around houses are better alternatives to reduce mosquito exposure.
Akodu also urged families to keep children out while the insecticides are being sprayed inside the house and to make sure the rooms are well ventilated before children re-enter.
