Exposure assessment and risk characterisation for consumers associated to the use of electrical diffuser for insecticides.

Insecticides are mainly used in the home environment, and most of them are recognised to pose risks for the human health. In particular, pyrethroids are an insecticide category widely used in agriculture and households, and for industrial purposes to get protection from mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects. In this study, both exposure and risk following the application of insecticides by using an electrical heating device have been characterised. The indoor exposure levels have been estimated by using ConsExpo Model. The exposure values have been compared with the toxicological data from the WHO Specifications. Thus, the risks have been estimated by calculating the Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) and the risks result to be very low. However, a potential risk might occur at the beginning of the exposure. Therefore, possible risk reduction measures should be put in place, such as avoiding people to stay while the electrical heating device is functioning.