Illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis sold across India are emerging as a major public health and consumer safety concern, according to a new study released by the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) ahead of National Dengue Day on May 16. The study, conducted by Kantar across 12 cities among 1,264 households and 405 doctors, found that nearly 70 per cent of doctors consider illegal mosquito agarbattis containing unapproved chemicals a “major respiratory hazard”.
The report stated that India’s mosquito agarbatti market is estimated at around ₹2,000 crore, with nearly 85 per cent dominated by unregulated products lacking mandatory Central Insecticides Registration (CIR) approval and ingredient disclosures. Brands such as Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax, Hunting Tiger, High Voltage and Dengue Killer were cited in the report. While 95 per cent of surveyed households reported no mosquito-borne diseases in the past year, nearly 59 per cent admitted using such products regularly, with many using them daily for over three years.
HICA Secretary and Director Jayant Deshpande urged consumers to verify CIR registration numbers before purchase. Doctors also warned that prolonged exposure to fumes from illegal agarbattis could increase respiratory illnesses, allergies and healthcare expenses.
In Guwahati, low-cost mosquito agarbattis continue to witness strong demand, especially during the monsoon season. Retailers in local markets and neighbourhood pharmacies say consumers often prefer cheaper unbranded products over approved alternatives due to affordability, despite growing awareness about potential health risks linked to unregulated mosquito repellents.
