BANGKOK, March 2, 2026 — Mosquito coils remain a staple in Southeast Asian households amid rising dengue and malaria cases, but health authorities and researchers are sounding alarms over toxic fumes and counterfeit products flooding regional markets.
Across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, mosquito coils are widely used as a low-cost defense against mosquitoes, though adoption rates vary by country and region. A 2026 Oxford Academic study found coil usage at 14% in Indonesia, 21% in Thailand, and 13% in Malaysia—far lower than insecticide sprays but still common in rural and low-income areas. In Malaysia’s rural east coast, usage jumps to 23.2%, with suburban rates at 17.6%, according to Universiti Putra Malaysia research.
Indonesia alone consumes an estimated 7 billion coils annually, driven by its tropical climate and dense population. Vietnam’s market is dominated by Japanese brand Fumakilla, while Thailand and the Philippines see strong demand for affordable coils, both local and imported.
Health Risks Under Scrutiny
Public health experts warn that burning one coil can release pollutants equivalent to 137 cigarettes, emitting formaldehyde, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—compounds linked to asthma, bronchitis, and long-term cancer risk. A UPM study found nightly coil use for three nights increases asthma risk, while weekly exposure harms lung function in children aged 7–11.
Unregistered and counterfeit coils pose an even greater danger. Thai authorities recently busted a factory in Samut Sakhon producing fake coils with unauthorized pyrethroid chemicals, including meperfluthrin and dimefluthrin, which can cause dizziness, vomiting, and seizures. Similar raids in the Philippines seized counterfeit “Wawang” coils worth 109,200 pesos, with distributors facing charges for trademark infringement and unsafe chemical use.
Market Shifts & Regulatory Pushback
Rising health awareness is driving a gradual shift toward safer alternatives: electric vaporizers in Thailand, plant-based repellents in Vietnam, and insecticide sprays across the region. Malaysia’s Clean Air Forum (MyCAS) urges consumers to avoid unregistered coils and prioritize environmental management over burning products.
Regulators across ASEAN are tightening import rules and product labeling requirements to curb toxic and counterfeit supplies. Yet with dengue cases surging 40% year-on-year in parts of the region, coils are expected to stay in use—underscoring the need for safer, affordable options and stricter quality control.