DEET Chemistry (Dimethyltoluamide)

DEET Chemistry (Dimethyltoluamide) If you live in an area with biting insects you have almost certainly encountered an insect repellent that uses DEET as its active ingredient. The chemical formula for DEET is N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide (N,N-dimethyl-m-toluamide). DEET was patented by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use in areas with heavy biting insect infestation. It is a broad-spectrum repellent that is effective against mosquitoes, flies, fleas, chiggers, and ticks. DEET has a good safety record and is less toxic to birds and other mammals than many other insect repellents, but all DEET products should be handled with care. DEET Safety DEET is absorbed through the skin, so it is important to use as low a concentration as is effective (10% or less for children) and as small an amount as is necessary. Up to a certain point, protection against insects increases with higher DEET concentration, but even low concentrations will protect against most bites. Some people experience irritation or an allergic reaction to DEET-containing products. DEET is toxic and potentially fatal if swallowed, so care should be taken to avoid applying repellent to hands or face or anything a child might put in the mouth. DEET should not be applied to areas with cuts or sores or around the eyes, since permanent eye damage can result from contact. High doses or long-term exposure to DEET have been associated with neurological damage. DEET can damage some plastics and synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and acetate, so be careful not to damage clothing or camping equipment. How DEET Works Biting insects use chemical, visual, and thermal cues to locate hosts. DEET is believed to work by blocking the chemical receptors for carbon dioxide and lactic acid, two of the substances released by our bodies that serve as attractants. Although DEET helps keep insects from locating people, there is probably more involved in DEETs effectiveness, since mosquitoes wont bite DEET-treated skin. However, skin only a few centimeters away from DEET is susceptible to bites. Recommendations for Using DEET Despite its hazards, DEET remains one of the safest and most effective insect repellents available. Here are some tips for using DEET safely: Reduce your need for repellent. Avoid behaviors that will attract biting insects (e.g., avoid strenuous exercise or eating lots of high sodium or potassium foods prior to going outdoors, which increase carbon dioxide release).Avoid applying chemicals that attract biting insects (e.g., floral-scented perfumes, scented sunscreens, dryer-sheet-scented clothes).Where possible, apply DEET-containing repellent to clothes rather than to skin.Apply DEET in a well-ventilated area.Avoid applying DEET to hands, the face, or any injured or sensitive skin.Avoid behaviors that will lessen the duration of DEET effectiveness (e.g., perspiration, rain, mixing with sunscreens).When you come indoors, wash off DEET-containing products using warm, soapy water.

Balancing College Studies with Work and Family Demands Essay

Balancing College Studies with Work and Family Demands - Essay Example In addition, the school program is not friendly for the student. For instance the school schedule lacks breaks in-between lessons. Although I am almost getting used to the school program, home duties are also becoming increasingly stressing. In addition, the lecturers give us insufficient time to complete the assignments. This denies us time to research and analyze the questions appropriately. The entire school program also contributes to the stress that we face as college students. The school management created the school’s program without considering the interests of the student. For instance, the distribution of lessons is not student friendly. It stresses me to have two consecutive lessons without a break in-between the lessons. The lecturers do not consider that we have been from another class and hence we need to relax before going to the next class. The school curriculum is also a major cause of stress and needs to be restructured. The current curriculum does not incorp orate modern student’s needs hence contributing to stress. For instance, students in modern age prefer short-term goals and objectives while the curriculum is characterized by long-term goals and objectives. Despite the presence of stress in my academic life, I am determined to achieve my objectives of academic excellence. This requires that I should have effective strategies of dealing with stress resulting from my school life. The first strategy that I consider effective, is acknowledging the problem. This acceptance induces my abilities to search for an appropriate solution to the problem. After accepting and identifying the problems, I am in an excellent position to find the solution to the problem. Secondly, I rank the three problems according to their needs of urgency and long-term implication. For instance assignments are first while school curriculum problems lies in the bottom of the list. Thirdly, I require developing a positive attitude that I can solve the problem s successfully. Having a positive attitude towards the problem enables me to tackle a problem successfully. To eliminate the problems associated with assignments, I first consider them beneficial to my studies and course. In addition, I consider the unbalanced schedule as a motivation to work hard. The final approach to the problem is applying the actual solution to the problem. This involves a systematic application of solution strategies to the problems. I cope with stress resulting from assignment by completing them in time. Sharing my solutions with other students also acts as part of the solution. Weekly Schedule My week starts on a Monday morning at 6 AM. After doing my routine bathing and dressing, I peruse through my course books to familiarize with the previous work. Identifying and devising solutions for different causes of stress enables me to accomplish my weekly program. This also gives me a chance to establish if there is any urgent assignments, pending or unsolved pro blems. I then write my days schedule in my diary according to available tasks and time. I also look at the school timetable to ensure that it is in line with my day’s schedule. After taking my breakfast, I go to the bus stop where our school bus waits for the students. We usually spend the first few moments sharing our experiences for the weekend. After getting into the school compound I spend the remaining time talking with my friends concerning the lessons and the overall school life.