DEET Not Only Way

To the Editors:

As recent Oberlin graduates, we were concerned with [Oberlin Health Services Director Laura Hieronymus’s] email regarding West Nile Virus and the use of DEET as a preventative measure. As... [she herself] said in the email, the risk of West Nile Virus is low for young, healthy adults. Therefore, we feel that the suggestion of chemical use, such as DEET, which is known to kill other living organisms and is accepted as harmful to humans, is extreme and not in the best interest of Oberlin students, the Oberlin community, or the environment at large.
Instead, we would like to suggest the use of natural insect repellents.
Made of natural materials and safe for your skin, natural insect repellents are extremely effective if used correctly. In addition, they are healthy for the environment and, through purchasing them, financial support is given to environmentally sound industries.
Thank you for your time and concern for Oberlin Students.

–Emily Hall
OC ’02
–Emily Schwerin-Whyte
OC ’02