/oss/taxonomy/term/1850/all en /oss/article/controversial-science-drugs-environment-health-news-toxicity-you-asked/you-asked-why-canada-banning-citronella-based-insect-repellants <p>Health Canada is set to ban topical mosquito repellants that contain oil of citronella. The oil contains methyleugenol, a compound that has caused liver tumours in rats fed in large doses, but this really has no relevance to topical application by humans While there is no evidence of harm from any topical application, other than the rare allergic reaction, no formal studies of safety have been carried out. In this case Health Canada seems to be applying the letter of the law.</p> Thu, 04 Sep 2014 01:43:36 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2191 at /oss