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Preventive Insecticides
Carbaryl |
Permethrin |
Bifenthrin |
| Label Information | Label Information | Label Information |
Permethrin
Permethrin has been classified by the EPA as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans”when eaten based on benign tumor production in mice. This study did not show a significant difference in cancer rate of the treated mice The International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that permethrin is “not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans” due to lack of evidence.
When fed to rats, permethrin is considered of low toxicity. Ingestion of permethrin by humans may cause sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Cats seem to be more sensitive to permethrin than other mammals. Permethrin bears a Caution signal word indicating low toxicity.
Causes toxicity to insects by contact or ingestion
Low in toxicity to rats when ingested
Low in toxicity to rabbits when applied to the skin
Inhalation toxicity unknown due to “data gap”
Slightly increased incidence, but not statistically significant, of benign hepatic tumors at highest dose when male mice fed permethrin over their lifetime
Rats fed various doses showed no signs of carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer has not classified its carcinogenicity to humans due to inadequate studies
EPA classifies permethrin “likely to be carcinogenic in humans” by ingestion due to increased tumor production in mice
Some reproductive effects in rats and rabbits when fed permethrin at high doses during pregnancy
Two studies of women exposed during pregnancy found no effect on outcomes of their pregnancies
Breaks down mainly by microbial degradation in the environment
Average half-life of less than 2.5 days in water
Strong adsorption to soil with half-life of 30-38 days
Has low potential to volatilize
Low toxicity to birds
High toxicity to fish and other aquatic organisms
Highly toxic to honey bees and other invertebrates
To see Pesticide Fact Sheets on these insecticides, visit National Pesticide Information Center
For additional information on human health risks from pesticides and definitions visit EPA Human Health Risks
For additional information on environmental risks from pesticides visit EPA Environmental Effects
