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Recyclers News Press
CDC & EPA Combine Forces Against
Insect-Borne Diseases
News Releases from EPA Headquarters
and other tools to help consumers choose the best
insect repellent for the job at hand.
New Insect Repellent Graphic Will Aid Consumers
Using insect repellents to protect against the increas-
ing threat of insect-borne diseases may become as
common as using sunscreen to protect against skin
cancer. At least that is the hope of the EPA and CDC
in their joint effort to encourage the use of insect re-
pellents and make it easier to determine what insects
will be repelled and for how long.
The EPA's new Repellency Awareness Graphic repre-
sents a big step forward in that effort. An understand-
able and simple set of symbols was created for use
on product labels. The symbols provide an image of
the insect or insects they repel , either a mosquito, a
tick, or both, as well as the typical number of hours, or
protection time, the repellent can be expected to con-
tinue to repel the insect(s). For more information visit
their website at:
The Repellency Awareness graphic will provide
clear information about repellency on a product
label to help you choose an insect repellent.
Benefits of the Graphic
1.
Protection—
The repellency awareness graphic
can help people protect themselves. Mosquitoes and
ticks may carry diseases, such as West Nile virus and
Lyme disease.
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to
avoid bites! Insect repellents can discourage mosqui-
toes, ticks and other biting insects from landing on
you.
2. Information—
The graphic will identify the type of
pest the product is expected to repel and the amount
of time the repellent will be effective. The repellency
awareness graphic will be available only for skin-
applied insect repellent products. You may see one of
three versions of the graphic on a product label show-
ing that mosquitoes, ticks, or mosquitoes AND ticks
are repelled.
3.
Choice—
Some repellents work longer than oth-
ers. Choose a product with a protection time that
works for your expected activity.
4.
Confidence—
The number(s) shown in the
graphic represent typical protection time(s).
Protection time(s) are based on multiple, reliable
studies. Products with this graphic have gone through
an extra review by EPA.
