23:T43d,

This article considers the Mosquito , a sonic repellent that is increasingly being used in a bid to drive teenagers out of public spaces. Having located this technology in its social and political context, the legal ramifications of its deployment are considered. Does the Mosquito satisfy health and safety requirements? Does it contravene environmental regulations? Is utilization of this device antisocial? Does its deployment constitute a form of criminal harassment? Finally, does the Mosquito unjustifiably interfere with human rights? Responses to the questions are offered, along with potential remedies for redress.

24:T476,

This study analyzed 20,764 exposures involving insect repellants containing N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) that were reported to poison control centers from 1993 to 1997. Nearly 70% of the cases reported no symptoms related to the exposure. The occurrence of symptoms was related to the route of exposure, with the highest rates associated with ocular exposures, followed by inhalation, multiple exposure routes, dermal, andingestion. Two deaths were reported, one in a 26-year-old male and one in a 34-year-old female, both following a dermal exposure. Twenty-six subjects experienced major effects. The greatest number of reported exposures involved infants and children, but this group experienced lower rates of adverse effects than teens or adults. There was no clear relationship between DEET concentration and presence or severity of clinical effects. For the cases reported to poison control centers and included in this analysis, the risk of serious medical effects for labeled use of insect repellants containing N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide appears to be low.

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The Mosquito : A Repellent Response

Human Exposures to N,N -diethyl- m -toluamide Insect Repellents Reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers 1993–1997