To DEET or not to DEET

The city is preparing to begin spraying against mosquitoes. More people are spending time outdoors. It's the time of year when people turn to Diethyl-meta-toluamide, otherwise known as DEET.

Despite its popularity and repeated calls by experts to use repellants with DEET to prevent bites, many are concerned about its safety. Some attribute eight deaths to the chemical since 1961—including three from ingestion and three children who reportedly succumbed to over-application.

Veronica Phelps owner of KISST Organics said,

“Anytime you're putting something on your skin, it is absorbed through the s...