DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRANDS OF MOSQUITO COILS

This work focused on determining the composition of brands of mosquito coils and their smoke. Qualitative analysis of anions showed that Cl, N, S were present in the coil samples as well as in the smokes samples, but absent in the residual ash. Esters and carboxylic acids were also found in the coils while aldehydes and esters were found in their smoke. None of these functional groups was found in the residual ash. The quantitative analyses showed the presence of Nitrogen, Chloride, Cyanide, Sulphur and Phosphorus, all at different concentrations. The IR analysis showed that the coils contain similar ingredients as O-H, C-F, C-O, C-H, C-N functional groups were present in all samples. The findings here suggest that long term exposure to the coils under study will have negative effects on the health of users. Therefore, among others, it is recommended that users should use the coils in well-ventilated rooms.