IPCS INCHEM Home


    PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD - 1984


    Sponsored jointly by FAO and WHO






    EVALUATIONS 1984




    The monographs



    Data and recommendations of the joint meeting
    of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues
    in Food and the Environment and the
    WHO Expert Group on Pesticide Residues
    Rome, 24 September - 3 October 1984

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    Rome 1985

    DELTAMETHRIN

    Explanation

         Deltamethrin was last reviewed in 1982, when a temporary ADI of
    0-0.01 mg/kg/bw was estimated. 1/ The previously estimated guidelines
    on pesticide residues on a wide variety of agricultural commodities
    were converted to temporary maximum residue levels.

         Residues found in further trials and in good agricultural
    practice have shown that some of the temporary MRLs are too low. This
    monograph addendum summarizes new residues data on leafy vegetables,
    brassica leafy vegetables and fruiting vegetables with edible peel
    (cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes).

    RESIDUES IN FOOD AND THEIR EVALUATION

    USE PATTERN

         New information was received from The Netherlands on the use
    pattern of deltamethrin on grass grown for seed and on pasture and is
    summarized in Table 1.

    RESIDUES RESULTING FROM SUPERVISED TRIALS

    Leafy Vegetables

         The use pattern information includes rates of application up to
    25 g/ha (normal rate 12.5 g/ha) and short intervals (2 to 3 days)
    between last application and harvest are considered desirable. Data on
    lettuce and spinach in Table 1 show that residues in excess of the
    current temporary MRL of 0.2 mg/kg can be expected in good
    agricultural practice (Roussel Uclaf, 1979a, 1980a, 1981a, 1981-82,
    1982).

    Brassica Leafy Vegetables

         The normal recommended rate of deltamethrin is 12.5 g a.i./ha in
    brassica leafy vegetables, although use patterns up to a maximum of
    25 g/ha are registered. Data in Table 3 from trials in a number of
    countries show that the temporary MRL of 0.05 mg/kg can be exceeded,
    especially at the higher doses and shorter intervals (Roussel Uclaf,
    1977, 1979b, 1980b,c, 1983a,b,c). The particular problem of green
    cabbage (GRUNKOHL) in the Federal Republic of Germany suggests that
    levels up to 0.2 mg/kg can often be expected.


              

    1/  See Annex 2 for FAO and WHO documentation.


        TABLE 1.  Use of Deltamethrin on Grasses and Pastures, The Netherlands

                                                                                                                            

    Crop           Kind of         Extent of        Application                                   Preharvest
    or             pest            use/economic     rate            Formulation    Treatment      interval        In use
    Situation      controlled      importance       (g a.i./ha)                                   (days)          since
                                                                                                                            

    Seed-          Larvae of       Very             12.5            E.C.           Spraying       28 (if used     1983
    growing        Bibionids;      limited                          25 g/l         in autumn      as forage)
    of
    grasses        Gall midge                                                      Spraying
                   (Mayetiola)                                                     one week
                                                                                   after egg
                                                                                   deposition

    Pasture        Larvae of       Very             12.5            E.C.           Spraying       28 (if used     1983
                   Bibionids       limited          25 g/l          in autumn      as forage)
                                                                                                                            
            2.  Deltamethrin Residues in Lettuce and Spinach from Supervised Trials

                                                                                           

    Crop/          Year      Rate      No. of         Residues (mg/kg)
    Country                  (g/ha)    applications   0         3         5         7
                                                                                           
    Lettuce        1979      12.5      2              0.3       0.1       0.08      0.03
    Fed. Rep.                                         0.4       0.2       0.2       0.1
    Germany                                           0.1       0.1       0.1       0.06

                   1980      12.5      3              0.3       0.1       0.09      n.d
                                                      0.1       0.05      0.06      n.d
                                                      n.d       n.d       n.d       n.d
                                                      n.d       n.d       n.d       n.d
                                                      0.2       0.05      n.d       n.d
                                                      0.1       n.d       n.d       n.d
                                                      0.05      n.d       n.d       n.d

                   1981      14.0      3              0.1       0.03      0.01      0.01
                                                      0.04      0.03      n.d       n.d
                                                      0.04      0.04      n.d       n.d
                                                      0.04      0.02      n.d       n.d

                   1981/82   12.5      3              0.08      0.03      0.02      n.d
                                                      0.07      0.03      0.02      0.02
                                                      0.3       0.04      0.01      0.01
                                                      0.1       0.02      0.01      n.d
                                                      0.5       0.2       0.04      n.d
                                                      0.2       n.d       n.d       n.d
                                                      0.1       0.03      n.d       n.d
                                                      0.09      0.2       0.04      n.d
                                                                                           
                                                                   (days)
                                                      0         2         4         8
                                                                                           

    Spinach        1978      17.5      1                        0.5       0.3       0.2
    (leaf)                                                      0.5       0.3       0.2
    France
                   1979      12.5      1                        0.4       0.2       0.1(7)
                                                                0.4       0.2       0.1(7)

                   1980      17.5      1                        0.35      0.2       0.2

    Spinach        1980      12.5      3              0.3       0.7(3)    0.2(5)    0.1(7)
    (leaf)                                            0.7       0.3(3)    0.3(5)    0.1(7)
    Fed. Rep.
    Germany        1982      12.5      3              0.4       0.2       n.d       0.03
                                                      0.6       0.2       0.1       0.1
                                                      0.5       0.1       0.06      0.04
                                                      0.5       0.2       0.2       0.03
                                                                                           

    TABLE 3.  Deltamethrin Residues in Brassica Leafy Vegetables from Supervised 
              Trials

                                                                                  

    Crop/Country          Rate           No. of       Residues (mg/kg) after
                        (g a.i./ha)    applications   last application (days)
                                                                                  

    Cabbage                 7.5             1         n.d(2)             n.d(8)
    Australia, 1979        10               1         n.d(2)             n.d(8)

    Brussels sprouts        7.5             6         n.d(1)             n.d(7)
    Australia, 1980        10               6         n.d(1)             n.d(7)

    Cabbage                10               5         0.02(0)            0.02(1)
    New Zealand, 1980                                 0.02(3)            0.015(7)

    Broccoli               10               3         0.07(0)            0.09 (1)
    (mature heads)                                    0.04(3)            0.02(7)
    New Zealand, 1980

    Broccoli               10               3         0.11(1) 0.08(3)    0.02(7)
    (immature heads)       20               3         0.66(1) 0.66(3)    0.2(7)
    Canada, 1983

    Brussels sprouts       10               3         0.07(1)
    Canada, 1983           20               3         0.08(1)

    Cauliflower            10               3         n.d(1)
    Canada, 1983           20               3         n.d(1)

    Cabbage                13               2         0.07(0)            0.1(3)
    (GRUNKOHL)                                        0.3(5)             0.1(7)
    Germany, 1977
                           13               2         0.3                0.4
                                                      0.2                0.2

                           13               2         0.1                0.2
                                                      0.1                0.2

                           13               2         0.04               0.04
                                                      0.02               0.03
                                                                                  
    

        TABLE 4  Deltamethrin Residues in Fruiting Vegetables from Supervised Trials

                                                                                                                                 

    Crop/Country        Rate           No of                             Residues (mg/kg) after last application
    Year                (g a.i./ha     treatments                                        (days)
                        or /hl)                       0         1         2         3         4         5         6         7
                                                                                                                                 

    TOMATO

    Fed.Rep.of          12.5 ha        2                         0.1                 0.07               0.06                 n.d
    Germany                                                      0.7                 0.04               0.04                 n.d
    1979                                                         0.05                0.2                n.d                  n.d

    New Zealand         10 ha          3               0.18                          0.04                                    0.07
    1980                15             3               0.013                         0.013                                   0.01

    United              18.9 ha        1              <0.01                                   <0.01                         <0.01
    Kingdom
    1980

    Fed.Rep.of          12.5 ha        3               n.d       0.02      n.d       0.03
    Germany                                            n.d       n.d       0.02      0.01
    1980                                               0.07      0.06      0.05      0.01
                                                       0.01      0.02      0.01      n.d
                                                       0.06      0.08      0.2       0.05
                                                       0.02      0.01      0.02      0.03

    S.Africa            1.25 hl        7              <0.05     <0.05     <0.05               <0.05     <0.05     <0.05     <0.05
    1981                12.5 HA        7              <0.05     <0.05     <0.05               <0.05     <0.05     <0.05     <0.05

    Australia           12.5 HA        5                         n.d                 0.02                                    n.d
    1981                25.0                                     0.09                n.d                                     n.d

    Fed.Rep.of          18.75 ha       4               0.1       0.2       0.2                 0.2
    Germany                                            0.08      0.2       0.1                 0.08
    1981                                               0.06      0.1       0.1                 0.2
                        22.5           4               0.06      0.02      0.07                0.1

                                                                                                                                 

    TABLE 4  (continued)

                                                                                                                                 

    Crop/Country        Rate           No of                             Residues (mg/kg) after last application
    Year                (g a.i./ha     treatments                                        (days)
                        or /hl)                       0         1         2         3         4         5         6         7
                                                                                                                                 

    Denmark             1 hl           1                         0.03                          0.03     0.03                 0.02
    1980                1 hl           2                         0.04                          0.03     0.03                 0.03

    CUCUMBERS

    United              17.5 ha        5               0.02
    Kingdom                                            0.02
    1979                                               0.09

    Fed.Rep.of          18.75 ha       4               0.08      0.02      0.02      0.03
    Germany                                            0.03      0.02      0.01      0.02
    1981                                               0.03      0.01      0.03      0.02
                        25.0           4               0.03      0.02      0.06      0.02

    Denmark             37.5 ha                                  0.01      0.01      0.01                          0.01
    1980

    GREEN PEPPERS

    France              12.5 ha        1                                   0.10                0.03                0.03      0.04
    1979                12.5 ha        1                                   0.01                0.01                n.d       n.d

    United              17.5 ha        5               0.07
    Kingdom                                            0.01
    1979                                               0.09

                                                                                                                                 

    TABLE 4  (continued)

                                                                                                                                 

    Crop/Country        Rate           No of                             Residues (mg/kg) after last application
    Year                (g a.i./ha     treatments                                        (days)
                        or /hl)                       0         1         2         3         4         5         6         7
                                                                                                                                 

    Canada              17.5 ha        3                         0.015
    1983                35 ha          3                         0.020

                        17.5 ha        3                         0.006
                                                                 0.023
                                                                 0.022

                        12.5 ha        1               0.032     0.022               0.011
                                                       0.027     0.015               0.005
                                                                                                                                 
    
    Fruiting Vegetables with Edible Peel

         The temporary MRL for deltamethrin in fruiting vegetables with
    edible peel is 0.05 mg/kg, based on a three-day interval between last
    application and harvest. Additional data on tomatoes, cucumbers and
    peppers indicate that this level can be exceeded in good agricultural
    practice if the higher rates and shorter intervals are accepted
    (Roussel Uclaf, 1979c,d,e, 1980 d,e,f,g,h, 1981b,c,d,e, 1983).

    Grass

         In a trial on grass grown for seed in The Netherlands in 1982,
    deltamethrin applied once at 18.75 g a.i./ha, as the 25 percent E.C.,
    left residues of 0.08 to 0.16 mg/kg at 28 days and 0.03 to 0.08 mg/kg
    at 42 days (Hoechst, 1982).

    APPRAISAL

         New information on use patterns and residues enabled the meeting
    to review the proposed MRLs for deltamethrin on a number of
    commodities. The increasing use of deltamethrin close to harvest also
    contributes to a need for increasing the estimates of maximum residue
    levels that can occur in good agricultural practice.

         A review of the residues following the use of deltamethrin as a
    grain protectant and data on the fate of residues during processing
    resulted in the meeting revising the estimate for deltamethrin in
    wheat wholemeal flour.

    RECOMMENDATIONS

         The meeting revised estimates for the following commodities and
    recommended them as suitable for use as MRLs.

                                                                 

            Commodity                      MRL         Previous
                                         (mg/kg)       estimate
                                                       (mg/kg)
                                                                 

            Leafy vegetables               0.5         (0.2)
            Brassica leafy vegetables      0.2         (0.05)
            Fruiting vegetables with
              edible peel                  0.2         (0.05)
            Wheat flour (wholemeal)         1          (2)
                                                                 

    REFERENCES

    Hoechst. Report B82-0800 submitted by Hoechst AG to FAO. (Unpublished)
    1982

    Netherlands. Information on the use pattern of deltamethrin on grass
    1984      for seed and on pastures.

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in green cabbage (GRUNKOHL), Federal Republic
    1977      of Germany. Report RR-81.24.05/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf
              to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in lettuce, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1979a     Report RR-80.15.01/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cabbage, Australia. Report ANA-80.10.10/AF
    1979b      submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1979c     Report RR-80.21.01/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cucumbers, England. Report RR-83.07.01/AF
    1979d     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in (Jamaica) peppers (Capsicum annuum),
    1979e     England. Report RR-83.11.01/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to
              FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in lettuce, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1980a     Report RR-83.15.01/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in Brussels sprouts, Australia. Report
    1980b     ANA-80.11.10/A submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cabbage, New Zealand. Report RR-81.24.05/AF
    1980c     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, New Zealand. Report
    1980d     RR-81.22.05/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, England. Report RR-81.10.08/AF
    1980e     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1980f     Report RR-83.16.01/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, Denmark. Report RR-81.02.07/AF
    1980g     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cucumbers, Denmark. Report RR-81.01.07/AF
    1980h     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in lettuce, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1981a     Report RR-83.10.02/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, South Africa. Reports
    1981b     RR-81.09.04/AF and RR-81.22.08/A submitted by Roussel Uclaf
              to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, Australia. Report RR-81.01.12/AF
    1981c     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in tomatoes, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1981d     Report RR-83.16.02/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cucumbers, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1981e     Report RR-83.08.02/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in lettuce, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1981-82   Report RR-83.09.02/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in spinach, Federal Republic of Germany.
    1982      Report RR-83.13.02/AF submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in broccoli, Canada. Report RR-84.06.11/A
    1983a     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in Brussels sprouts, Canada. Report
    1983b     RR-84.06.13/A submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO.
              (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in cauliflower, Canada. Report RR-84.06.14/A
    1983c     submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)

    Roussel Uclaf. Residues in green peppers, Canada. Report RR-84.05.22/A
    1983      submitted by Roussel Uclaf to FAO. (Unpublished)


    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Deltamethrin (EHC 97, 1990)
       Deltamethrin (HSG 30, 1989)
       Deltamethrin (ICSC)
       DELTAMETHRIN (JECFA Evaluation)
       Deltamethrin (Pesticide residues in food: 1980 evaluations)
       Deltamethrin (Pesticide residues in food: 1981 evaluations)
       Deltamethrin (Pesticide residues in food: 1982 evaluations)
       Deltamethrin (JMPR Evaluations 2000 Part II Toxicological)
       Deltamethrin (UKPID)
       Deltamethrin (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 53, 1991)