The Mosquito Coil Factory
In Bangladesh there are many mosquito’s, and mosquito related diseases Malaria as well as Dengue and Chikungunya are unfortunately very common. Many people used to burn a “mosquito coil”, in order to kill the flies and insects. Since it is a very popular product, they coils are made in local factories. A mosquito coil is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent">mosquito-repelling</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense">incense</a>, usually made into a spiral, and typically made using dried paste of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum">pyrethrum</a> powder. The coil is usually held at the center of the spiral, suspending it in the air, or wedged by two pieces of fireproof netting to allow continuous smoldering. Burning usually begins at the outer end of the spiral and progresses slowly toward the center of the spiral, producing a mosquito-repellent smoke. Although mosquito coils are considered to be safe insecticides for humans and mammals, some studies highlight concerns when they are used in closed rooms. Coils sold in China and Malaysia were found to produce as much smoke <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulates">PM<sub>2.5</sub></a> as 75-137 burning cigarettes and formaldehyde emission levels in line with 51 burning cigarettes. But working with such heavy chemicals completely unprotected, is of course dangerous and unhealthy.