Effect of Inhalation of Pyrethroid Based Mosquito Vaporisers Fumes on the Body Weight of Male Albino Wistar Rats- An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Pyrethroid based mosquito vaporisers are commonly used as Personal Protective Measure (PPM) to avoid mosquito borne diseases. Effective control of mosquito borne diseases with the use of general public health measures are yet to be achieved in our country, so there is increasing use of PPM like mosquito coils, liquid vaporisers, mats, insecticide treated bed nets in Indian population but data regarding the safety profile of PPM is still scarce. Aim: To analyse the change in the body weight of male albino wistar rats exposed to pyrethroid based mosquito vaporiser. Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study on total 12 male albino wistar rats from July 2015 to October 2016. They were randomly divided into group I and II. Each group contained six rats. Group I animals served as control and Group II animals were exposed to mosquito vaporiser, 8 hours/day for six days in a week for 90 days. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Independent samples t-test was used to compare between group differences. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: Pyrethroid exposure results in reduced weight gain in exposed group rats. The mean difference in body weight between the groups at the end of study was 37.32±24.47 gm (p=0.165). Weight gain in both the group rats was almost similar till 8th postexposure week, after that from 9th week onwards decremental trend in weight was seen in group II. Conclusion: The assessment suggests that inhalation of pyrethroid based mosquito vaporisers fumes have toxic effects, reflected as reduced weight gain following subchronic exposure.

Keywords

• exposure
• mosquito repellents
• pesticides
• weight loss