You’ve probably seen those green packets of “Comfort” mosquito agarbatti in local shops. Many families burn them every night, thinking it’s safe, even “organic.” But recently, the Maharashtra government banned this product completely. No more selling, no more distributing.

Why? Because when government inspectors tested it in a laboratory, they found something shocking inside.

The Chemical Found in Comfort Agarbatti

The lab tests found a chemical called Dimefluthrin in these agarbattis. The chemical formula for Dimefluthrin is C19H22F4O3. The IUPAC name for Dimefluthrin is:

[2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate

In simple words, it’s an industrial-grade pesticide. The kind used in factories and fields, not inside your bedroom. It is not approved by the Indian government for use in incense sticks burned indoors, and the product was being sold without regulatory clearance. Without approval, authorities cannot confirm whether the exposure is safe for people.

Because of this risk, the government decided to ban the product and take enforcement action against distributors and retailers. (latestly)

Because of this risk, the government decided to ban the product and take enforcement action against distributors and retailers. (punekarnews)

What Does This Chemical Do to Your Body?

When you burn this agarbatti, the smoke goes straight into the air inside your closed room. You breathe it in. Your children breathe it in. And this is what Dimefluthrin can do:

If you’re exposed for a short time:

• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritation in eyes, nose, and throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Convulsions in serious cases

If you use it regularly for a long time:

• Liver and kidney damage
• Lung inflammation and tissue damage
• Weak immune system — your body becomes less able to fight diseases
• Nervous system problems, especially in children
• Disruption of gut bacteria (your digestive health)

Reference: Dimefluthrin Health & Toxicology Data (University of Hertfordshire, PPDB) https://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ppdb/en/Reports/3069.htm

And remember, most of us burn mosquito agarbattis in a closed room at night. That is the worst possible situation.

Another Big Problem: Fake “Herbal” Claims

Many mosquito agarbattis are marketed as “natural” or “herbal.”

But investigations have shown that some products actually contain synthetic pesticides instead of natural oils like citronella or neem.

This is misleading for consumers because people believe they are using a safe herbal product while actually inhaling pesticide smoke.

What Should You Do Right Now?

1. Stop using ‘Comfort’ mosquito agarbatti immediately if you have it at home.
2. Check any mosquito agarbatti you buy, look for a CIR number (Central Insecticide Registration number) on the packet. Every legal, government-approved product must have it.
3. Don’t trust “herbal” or “organic” labels blindly. These are just words. Always check for CIR registration.
4. Never burn mosquito repellents in a sealed, closed room, especially where children sleep.
5. Tell your family and neighbors. Most people don’t know about this. Your one share can protect someone’s family.

We all want to protect our homes from mosquitoes. But not by unknowingly poisoning our own families. The people who make illegal products like this count on one thing, that you won’t find out.

Now you know. Please share this.

References: Maharashtra Agriculture Department Circular (February 2026) | Punekar News | LatestLY | University of Hertfordshire Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB) — Dimefluthrin Toxicology Data | PubMed Study on Long-term Dimefluthrin Exposure (2024)

References:

1. Maharashtra Government Ban Notice (Punekar News) https://www.punekarnews.in/maharashtra-government-bans-comfort-agarbatti-over-use-of-excessive-unapproved-chemicals/
2. Maharashtra Bans Comfort & Sleep Well Agarbatti (SME Street) https://smestreet.in/infocus/maharashtra-bans-comfort-and-sleep-well-mosquito-agarbatti-11088855
3. Dhoop Chhav Company & Dimefluthrin Discovery (LatestLY) https://www.latestly.com/india/news/maharashtra-dhoop-chhav-companys-comfort-mosquito-repellent-agarbatti-banned-after-discovery-of-illegal-chemical-dimefluthrin-7301649.html
4. Dimefluthrin Health & Toxicology Data (University of Hertfordshire — PPDB) https://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ppdb/en/Reports/3069.htm
5. Scientific Study — Long-term Dimefluthrin Exposure & Immune System Damage (PubMed 2024) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39004392/
6. Dimefluthrin Cardiotoxicity Research (ScienceDirect 2024) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653524018046

Mehebub Alam Chowdhury

I’m Mehebub Alam Chowdhury, an M.Sc. Organic Chemistry student, and my mission with Decodepure is to simplify complex chemical ingredients in everyday products. With my knowledge of chemicals, I aim to help you make safer, healthier choices by breaking down product labels in an easy-to-understand way.