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Our active ingredient, Citriodiol, has been extensively tested in field and laboratory trials and has passed rigorous safety assessments.
If used according to label instructions, Citriodiol is not expected to pose a health risk to people, including children and sensitive populations (US EPA).
Low Toxicity
Beyond acute toxicity assessments, Citriodiol has been shown to:
Low Transdermal Absorption
Compared with other dermally applied actives, very little Citriodiol is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, minimising the impact on the consumer’s body. It is not classified as a skin sensitiser or dermal irritant. The US CDC however recommends that no insect repellent should be applied under clothing as there may be an increased rate of dermal absorption due to perspiration.
Suitable for Children
Our quantitative human health risk assessment supports application to children from 3 months, however due to reduced epidermis thickness and potentially greater sensitivity in children of this age, we recommend application from 6 months. Be aware that age restrictions may vary from country to country so advise us your specific requirements and we can provide more tailored advice.
Suitable for Pregnant and Nursing Women
While we have not conducted studies directly on pregnant women for ethical reasons, data generated from multi-generation toxicity studies, together with the very low rate of dermal absorption of Citriodiol, supports unrestricted use by pregnant women. This conclusion was supported by the US EPA when it registered the product more than a decade ago allowing its unrestricted use by pregnant women when used in accordance with the product label.
Safe for the Environment
In addition to many toxicological studies of Citriodiol to ensure product safety for consumers, environmental testing has been conducted to ensure that it is not harmful to the environment.
These tests have proven that Citriodiol is rapidly degradable, so will not build up to potentially harmful levels in our soils or waterways unlike many synthetic alternatives such as DEET. Citriodiol is sourced from natural GMO-free plant oil, is organic and is not toxic to birds, honey bees and other insects beneficial to the environment.
Citriodiol has been approved by ECOCERT as a raw material that meets the COSMOS standards for organic and natural ingredients. As a COSMOS approved ingredient, Citriodiol can be used in end-use products which are to be certified as COSMOS natural or COSMOS organic.
The ECOCERT approval is only given to raw materials that meet strict requirements regarding the origin of the material (eg. Not using GMOs, not endangering species) and the material must also meet strict criteria relating to the processing of the material.
ECOCERT approval gives customers confidence that Citriodiol is sourced and manufactured in a way that is totally aligned with the above principles.
Laboratory and field trials show complete protection against a variety of mosquito species for up to 8 hours.
US EPA approved study (2019) demonstrates complete protection against Deer Tick, Lone Star Tick and Brown Dog Tick for up to 10 hours.
Blackwell trial (2013) found that Citriodiol based repellent with 30% concentration gives 100% protection for 2 hours.
Provides protection from Flies (including Sand Flies and Stable Flies), Land Leeches and Head Lice.