SC Johnson Statement On Recent Unfounded Concerns Over DEET

RACINE, Wisc. – SC Johnson was recently made aware of a study that has been published that raises questions about the impact of the ingredient DEET. SC Johnson wants to make it very clear that when used according to label directions, all of our products can be used with confidence, including those that may contain DEET, such as our OFF!® brand of insect repellents.

DEET is the active chemical ingredient used in many insect repellents. A 2002 article in the New England Journal of Medicine declared DEET to be the “gold standard” in mosquito repellent ingredients. It is highly effective at repelling pests such as mosquitoes, which may carry diseases such as dengue and West Nile Virus, and ticks which may carry Lyme disease. DEET was first registered in the United States for general public use in 1957 and has been applied many billions of times by people for 50 years. SC Johnson makes a variety of DEET products under the Autan® and OFF!® brand names.

The World Health Organization recommends DEET, as does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, and the National Travel Health Network and Centre in the United Kingdom. Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have concluded that normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population. In addition the American Academy of Pediatrics has information on using DEET products on children. http://www.aap.org/family/wnv-jun03.htm

Pest control products should always be used according to label directions. Here are some steps for safe use of DEET and other repellents:


* Read and adhere to all directions and precautions on the product label.

* Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin. Do not over-apply.

* To apply to face, spray on hands first and then rub on skin.

* Do not apply to hands or near the eyes or mouth of children.

* Apply the product to younger children rather than allowing them to apply it themselves.

* After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

* Do not spray in enclosed areas.


As a family company, nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of the families who use SC Johnson products. Our products meet or exceed the high standards and regulations set by government regulatory agencies in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other global markets in which they are sold. We want to make it clear, that like all of SC Johnson’s products, OFF!® brand products, including those that contain DEET, can be used with confidence when label directions are followed.