International Header

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Some people worry that despite their effectiveness against pests, the chemicals found in common bug sprays may increase the risk of getting cancer.

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Last updated:
June 14, 2022
|  5 min read

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

YouTube video highlight

Some people worry that despite their effectiveness against pests, the chemicals found in common bug sprays may increase the risk of getting cancer.

Read more about the project

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

Does bug spray cause cancer?

Summer is officially here — time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, barbecues and beaches! But of course, summer also brings bugs.

In addition to the annoyance of itchy bug bites, mosquitoes can transmit several dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile and Zika viruses, and ticks can carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, so it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by using bug repellent.

Some people worry that despite their effectiveness against pests, the chemicals found in common bug sprays may increase the risk of getting cancer. Should you be concerned about that? The short answer is: not really.

“There haven’t been a lot of studies on bug repellents and cancer,” says Dr. Kirsten Moysich, PhD, MS, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park. “A couple of studies have looked at whether household bug sprays are linked to lymphoma and myeloma, and they did not find any association.”

The most common chemical agent in most bug repellents is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which has been found to be safe when used properly. In some studies, DEET has been associated with toxic effects in animals but not in humans.

“I think the concern over bug sprays is because you’re spraying chemicals onto your body, and especially with products containing DEET, that has a strong odor; it has that chemical smell,” says Dr. Moysich. “We’re uncomfortable with chemicals, and there’s a strong perception among the public that chemicals cause cancer. While some of them certainly do, all the products you can buy at your local drugstore have been certified by the EPA as safe — and they are effective at preventing mosquito-borne illnesses.”

Continue reading Kirsten Moysich's complete article on insect repellent and cancer here.

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Does bug spray cause cancer?

Summer is officially here — time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, barbecues and beaches! But of course, summer also brings bugs.

In addition to the annoyance of itchy bug bites, mosquitoes can transmit several dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile and Zika viruses, and ticks can carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, so it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by using bug repellent.

Some people worry that despite their effectiveness against pests, the chemicals found in common bug sprays may increase the risk of getting cancer. Should you be concerned about that? The short answer is: not really.

“There haven’t been a lot of studies on bug repellents and cancer,” says Dr. Kirsten Moysich, PhD, MS, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park. “A couple of studies have looked at whether household bug sprays are linked to lymphoma and myeloma, and they did not find any association.”

The most common chemical agent in most bug repellents is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which has been found to be safe when used properly. In some studies, DEET has been associated with toxic effects in animals but not in humans.

“I think the concern over bug sprays is because you’re spraying chemicals onto your body, and especially with products containing DEET, that has a strong odor; it has that chemical smell,” says Dr. Moysich. “We’re uncomfortable with chemicals, and there’s a strong perception among the public that chemicals cause cancer. While some of them certainly do, all the products you can buy at your local drugstore have been certified by the EPA as safe — and they are effective at preventing mosquito-borne illnesses.”

Continue reading Kirsten Moysich's complete article on insect repellent and cancer here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
PhD is Professor of Oncology
Kristen Moysich
Kirsten B. Moysich, PhD is Professor of Oncology and Full Member in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Media Mentions

Roswell Park: Does bug spray cause cancer?

Does bug spray cause cancer?

Summer is officially here — time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, barbecues and beaches! But of course, summer also brings bugs.

In addition to the annoyance of itchy bug bites, mosquitoes can transmit several dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile and Zika viruses, and ticks can carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, so it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by using bug repellent.

Some people worry that despite their effectiveness against pests, the chemicals found in common bug sprays may increase the risk of getting cancer. Should you be concerned about that? The short answer is: not really.

“There haven’t been a lot of studies on bug repellents and cancer,” says Dr. Kirsten Moysich, PhD, MS, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park. “A couple of studies have looked at whether household bug sprays are linked to lymphoma and myeloma, and they did not find any association.”

The most common chemical agent in most bug repellents is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which has been found to be safe when used properly. In some studies, DEET has been associated with toxic effects in animals but not in humans.

“I think the concern over bug sprays is because you’re spraying chemicals onto your body, and especially with products containing DEET, that has a strong odor; it has that chemical smell,” says Dr. Moysich. “We’re uncomfortable with chemicals, and there’s a strong perception among the public that chemicals cause cancer. While some of them certainly do, all the products you can buy at your local drugstore have been certified by the EPA as safe — and they are effective at preventing mosquito-borne illnesses.”

Continue reading Kirsten Moysich's complete article on insect repellent and cancer here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
PhD is Professor of Oncology
Kristen Moysich
Kirsten B. Moysich, PhD is Professor of Oncology and Full Member in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More

Media Mentions

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Contributing Writer

Media Mentions

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory