E X T O X N E T
Extension Toxicology Network
A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of
Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and
University of California at Davis. Major support and funding was provided
by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
Assessment Program.
| |
Pesticide
Information
Profile
|
Allethrin
Publication Date: 9/93
|
|
TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Allethrin: Alleviate, Pynamin. d-trans allethrin: D-Trans Conc. 90%,
bioallethrin, MGK 264 and Esbiothrin.
REGULATORY STATUS
Pesticides containing allethrin must bear the signal word "Caution" on
the product label. Containers of technical d-trans allethrin must bear the
signal "Warning" (1).
INTRODUCTION
Allethrin is used almost exclusively in homes and gardens for control of
flies and mosquitoes, and in combination with other pesticides to control
flying or crawling insects. The purified d-trans-isomer of allethrin is more
toxic to insects and is used for control of crawling insects in homes and
restaurants (1).
Allethrin is a synthetic duplicate of a component of pyrethrum.
Pyrethrum is a botanical insecticide extracted from chrysanthemum flowers.
Allethrin, the first synthetic pyrethroid, was introduced in 1949, and is a
mixture of several isomeric forms. The most common form is a 4:1 mixture of
the trans- and cis-isomers. It is available in aerosol, coil, mat, dust and
oil formulations. Aerosol and spray formulations of the purified d-trans-
isomer of allethrin are also available. D-trans allethrin is usually combined
with synergists such as piperonyl-butoxide (1).
Unless stated otherwise, information in this PIP refers to unpurified
allethrin.
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Allethrin is slightly to moderately toxic by dermal absorption and
ingestion (2). Short-term dermal exposure to allethrin may cause itching,
burning, tingling, numbness, a feeling of warmth, with no dermatitis (2).
Exposure to large doses by any route may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
hyperexcitability, incoordination, tremors, convulsive twitching, convulsions,
bloody tears, incontinence, muscular paralysis, prostration and coma (2).
Persons sensitive to ragweed pollen are at increased risk from exposure to
allethrin (2).
Allethrin is a central nervous system stimulant (2). Heavy respiratory
exposure caused incoordination and urinary incontinence in mice and rats (2).
The amount of a chemical that is lethal to one-half (50%) of experimental
animals fed the material is referred to as its acute oral lethal dose fifty,
or LD50. The toxicity of allethrin varies with the amounts of different
isomers present. The oral LD50 for allethrin in male rats is 1,100 mg/kg, in
female rats is 685 mg/kg (1), 370 mg/kg in mice, and 4,290 mg/kg in rabbits
(2). The oral LD50 for d-trans allethrin in rats is 860 mg/kg (1). The
dermal LD50 in rabbits is 11,332 mg/kg (2).
CHRONIC TOXICITY
A dosage of 50 mg/kg/day for 2 years produced no detectable effect in the
dog (2).
In a 90-day dietary study with rats fed 0, 25, 75, 250 or 500 mg/kg of
bioallethrin, the NOEL was 25 mg/kg. Rats fed 75 mg/kg exhibited decreased
body weight gain, increased liver weights and, in females only, increased
levels of serum liver enzymes (5).
A 6-month study with dogs fed 0, 5, 25 or 125 mg/kg of bioallethrin,
effects on the liver were seen at 5 mg/kg (5).
Reproductive Effects
No information was found.
Teratogenic Effects
No developmental defects were seen in the offspring of rats given doses
as high as 195 mg/kg/day (5).
Mutagenic Effects
Allethrin has been found to be mutagenic under certain conditions in
strains of the bacterium Salmonella typhinurium (3). However, 2 other tests
of bioallethrin for mutagenicity (DNA damage and reverse mutation) were
negative (5).
Carcinogenic Effects
Rats fed 2,000 mg/kg of d-allethrin for 2 years did not develop cancer
(4, 5).
Organ Toxicity
Pyrethroids may cause adverse effects on the central nervous system.
Long-term feeding studies have caused increased liver and kidney weights and
adverse changes in liver tissues in test animals (2).
Fate in Humans and Animals
No information was found.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Allethrin degrades rapidly in the environment (5).
Effects on Birds
Allethrin is practically non-toxic to birds. The LD50 for technical
allethrin in mallards is > 2,000 mg/kg; 5,620 ppm for d-cis/trans-allethrin in
mallards and bobwhite quail; and 2,030 ppm for bioallethrin in bobwhite quail
(5).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Allethrin is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. The
toxicity of allethrin in 27 species of warm and cold-water fish was
measured. The results ranged from an LC50 of 2.6 ppb for bioallethrin in
coho salmon to 80 ppb for s-bioallethrin in fathead minnows (5). The LC50
for allethrin in stoneflies is 5.6 ppb, and in black flies is 56 ppb (5).
The pyrethroid insecticides are extremely toxic to fish with 96-hour LC50
values generally below 10 ug/l. Corresponding LD50 values in mammals and
birds are in the range of several hundred to several thousand mg/kg. Fish
sensitivity to the pyrethroids may be explained by their relatively slow
metabolism and elimination of these compounds. The half-lives for elimination
of several pyrethroids by trout are all greater than 48 hours, while
elimination half-lives for birds and mammals range from 6 to 12 hours (6).
Generally, the lethality of pyrethroids to fish increases with
increasing octanol/water partition coefficients (8).
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget species)
At normal application rates, allethrin is slightly toxic to bees (1,
5). Its LD50 is 3 to 9 ug/bee (4).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
No information was found.
Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
In pond waters and in laboratory degradation studies, pyrethroid
concentrations decrease rapidly due to sorption to sediment, suspended
particles and plants. Microbial and photodegradation also occur (7).
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
No information was found.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES
Allethrin is a clear, amber-colored, viscous liquid (1) with a mild or
slightly aromatic odor (5). It may decompose when exposed to heat or light
and it is incompatible with alkalis (2).
Goggles, gloves and a respirator should be worn when handling technical
allethrin or d-trans allethrin, or formulations that contain 90% or more of
either active ingredient (1).
Exposure Guidelines:
No occupational exposure limits have been established for allethrin by
OSHA, NIOSH or ACGIH (2).
Physical Properties:
| CAS #: | 584-79-2 |
| Chemical Name: | (2-methyl-1-propenyl)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-(2 propenyl)-2-cyclo-penten-1-yl ester or mixture of cis- and trans-isomers (5). |
| Chemical Class/Use: | Synthetic pyrethroid insecticide |
| Specific gravity: | 1.005 -1.015 |
| H20 solubility: | allethrin and d-trans allethrin are insoluble in water (1, 2) |
| Solubility in other solvents: | Miscible with most organic solvents at 20-25 degrees C (1); miscible with petroleum oils and soluble in paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons (5). |
| Boiling point: | 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) (2) |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
allethrin:
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
5-33, Kitahama 4-chome
Chuo-ku Osaka 541 Japan
Fax: 81-6-220-3492
Telex: 63823 SUMIKA J
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: April, 1993
Comments received:
d-trans allethrin:
McLaughlin Gormley King Co.
8810 Tenth Ave. N.
Minneapolis MN 55427-4372
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited:
Comments received:
REFERENCES
Meister, R.T. (ed.). 1992. Farm Chemicals Handbook '92. Meister
Publishing Company, Willoughby, OH.
Occupational Health Services, Inc. 1992 (Nov. 17). MSDS for
Allethrin. OHS Inc., Secaucus, NJ.
Herrera, A. and E. Laborda. 1988. Mutagenic activity in synthetic
pyrethroids in Salmonella typhinurium. Mutagenesis 3 (6): 509-514.
World Health Organization. 1989. Allethrins: allethrin,
d-allethrin,
bioallethrin, s-bioallethrin. IPCS Internat'l Programme on Chemical
Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 87.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 24 March, 1988. Pesticide Fact
Sheet Number 158: Allethrin Stereoisomers. US EPA, Office of Pesticide
Programs, Registration Div., Washington, DC.
Bradbury, S.P. and J.R. Coats. 1989. Toxicokinetics and
toxicodynamics of pyrethroid insecticides in fish. Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry 8: 373-380.
Muir, D.C.G., et al. 1985. Bioconcentration of cypermethrin,
deltamethrin, fenvalerate and permethrin by Chironomus tentans larvae in
sediment and water. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 4: 51-61.
Haya, K. 1989. Toxicity of pyrethroid insecticides to fish.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 8: 381-391.
Disclaimer: Please read
the pesticide label prior to use. The information contained at this web
site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein
are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is
criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical
in nature and may no longer be applicable.
To Top
For more information relative to pesticides and their use in New York State, please contact the PMEP staff at:
| |
5123 Comstock Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-0901
(607) 255-1866
|
PLEASE NOTE: If you are not in New York State, you must contact the appropriate
agency for your area.
|
 |
This site is supported, in part, by funding from the
 |
Questions regarding the development of this web site should be directed to the
PMEP Webmaster
