IPCS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY
Health and Safety Guide No. 38
CYHALOTHRIN AND LAMBDA-CYHALOTHRIN
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDE
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, GENEVA 1990
This is a companion volume to Environmental Health Criteria 99:
Cyhalothrin
Published by the World Health Organization for the International
Programme on Chemical Safety (a collaborative programme of the United
Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation,
and the World Health Organization)
This report contains the collective views of an international group of
experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated
policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International
Labour Organisation, or the World Health Organization
WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin : health and safety guide.
(Health and safety guide ; no. 38)
1. Pyrethrins - standards I. Series
ISBN 92 4 151038 2 (NLM Classification: WA 240)
ISSN 0259-7268
(c) World Health Organization 1990
Publications of the World Health Organization enjoy copyright
protection in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 2 of the
Universal Copyright Convention. For rights of reproduction or
translation of WHO publications, in part or in toto, application
should be made to the Office of Publications, World Health
Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization
welcomes such applications.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this
publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
the part of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or
of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or
boundaries.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers'
products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the
World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature
that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of
proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1. Identity
1.2. Physical and chemical properties
1.3. Analytical methods
1.4. Uses
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1. Human exposure
2.2. Environmental exposure and fate
2.3. Uptake, metabolism, and excretion
2.4. Effects on organisms in the environment
2.5. Effects on experimental animals and in vitro test systems
2.6. Effects on human beings
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1. Conclusions
3.2. Recommendations
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1. Main human health hazards, prevention and protection, first
aid
4.1.1. Advice to physicians
4.1.2. Health surveillance advice
4.2. Explosion and fire hazards
4.3. Storage
4.4. Transport
4.5. Spillage and disposal
4.5.1. Spillage
4.5.2. Disposal
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
7.1. Previous evaluations by international bodies
7.2. Exposure limit values
7.3. Specific restrictions
7.4. Labelling, packaging, and transport
7.5. Waste disposal
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
The Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) documents produced by the
International Programme on Chemical Safety include an assessment of
the effects on the environment and on human health of exposure to a
chemical or combination of chemicals, or physical or biological
agents. They also provide guidelines for setting exposure limits.
The purpose of a Health and Safety Guide is to facilitate the
application of these guidelines in national chemical safety
programmes. The first three sections of a Health and Safety Guide
highlight the relevant technical information in the corresponding EHC.
Section 4 includes advice on preventive and protective measures and
emergency action; health workers should be thoroughly familiar with
the medical information to ensure that they can act efficiently in an
emergency. Within the Guide is an International Chemical Safety Card
which should be readily available, and should be clearly explained, to
all who could come into contact with the chemical. The section on
regulatory information has been extracted from the legal file of the
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) and from
other United Nations sources.
The target readership includes occupational health services, those in
ministries, governmental agencies, industry, and trade unions who are
involved in the safe use of chemicals and the avoidance of
environmental health hazards, and those wanting more information on
this topic. An attempt has been made to use only terms that will be
familiar to the intended user. However, sections 1 and 2 inevitably
contain some technical terms. A bibliography has been included for
readers who require further background information.
Revision of the information in this Guide will take place in due
course, and the eventual aim is to use standardized terminology.
Comments on any difficulties encountered in using the Guide would be
very helpful and should be addressed to:
The Manager
International Programme on Chemical Safety
Division of Environmental Health
World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
THE INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A STARTING POINT
TO A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMME
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1 Identity
Cyhalothrin is a chlorotrifluoro derivative of chrysanthemic acid.
Although theoretically it could be a mixture of 16 enantiomers, this
number has been reduced to 4 in actual practice.
Lambda-cyhalothrin consists of the more active pair of enantiomers of
cyhalothrin.
Chemical structure:
Molecular formula: C23H19ClF3NO3
Trade names: Cyhalothrin: "Grenade"
Lambda-cyhalothrin: "Karate", "Matador",
"Icon"
Synonyms: Cyhalothrin: R114563, PP563
Lambda-cyhalothrin: R119321, PP321
CAS chemical name: (R+S)-alpha-cyano-3-(phenoxyphenyl)
methyl- (1S+1R)-cis-3-( z-2-
chloro-3,3,3,-trifluoroprop-
1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-
carboxylate
Chemical name: alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-3-(2-chloro-
3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-
dimethyl-cyclopropane-carboxylate
CAS registry number: cyhalothrin: 68085-85-8
lambda-cyhalothrin: 91465-08-6
Technical grade cyhalothrin contains more than 90% of the active
material. It is formulated in 5%, 10%, and 20% emulsifiable
concentrates.
Technical grade lambda-cyhalothrin contains more than 90% active
ingredient. It is formulated as 2.5%, 5.0%, 8.3%, and 12%
emulsifiable concentrates and as a 0.8% ultra-low-volume (ULV)
formulation.
1.2 Physical and Chemical Properties
Some physical and chemical properties of cyhalothrin and
lambda-cyhalothrin are listed on the International Chemical Safety
Card (section 6).
Technical cyhalothrin is a yellow-brown viscous liquid with a mild
odour. Technical lambda-cyhalothrin is a beige solid with a mild
odour.
Cyhalothrin is extremely stable to light and at temperatures below
220°C. Dilute aqueous solutions are subject to photolysis, which
occurs at a moderate rate.
1.3 Analytical Methods
The most widely adopted procedures for the determination of
cyhalothrin residues in crops, animal tissues and products, soil, and
other environmental samples are based on extraction of the residue
with organic solvent and clean-up of the extract as necessary by
solvent-solvent partition and adsorption column chromatography,
followed by determination of the residue using gas chromatography (GC)
with electron capture detection (GC/ECD). The identity of residues
can be confirmed by GC with mass selective detection (GC-MSD) or by
thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by GC/ECD.
1.4 Uses
Cyhalothrin is a pyrethroid insecticide, highly active against a wide
range of species of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera.
It also has some miticidal activity. Lambda-cyhalothrin has the same
spectrum of insecticidal activity as cyhalothrin, but is more active.
The compound is a stomach and contact insecticide. It shows
adulticidal, ovicidal and, particularly, larvicidal activity.
Apart from agricultural uses, cyhalothrin also has public and animal
health applications in which it effectively controls a broad spectrum
of insects including cockroaches, flies, mosquitos, and ticks. It is
active as a residual spray on inert surfaces.
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1 Human Exposure
Residues in food arising from the use of cyhalothrin and lambda-
cyhalothrin on crops and in animal health are low, usually less than
0.2mg/kg. No results are available on the total dietary intake in
man, but it can be assumed that the dietary exposure of the general
population will not exceed the ADI of 0.02 mg/kg body weight.
2.2 Environmental Exposure and Fate
On soil surfaces and in aqueous solutions at pH 5, lambda-cyhalothrin
is degraded in sunlight with a half-life of approximately 30 days. The
main degradation products are 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop1-enyl)-
2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, the amide derivative of
cyhalothrin, and phenoxybenzoic acid.
Degradation in soil occurs primarily through hydroxylation followed by
cleavage of the ester linkage to give two main degradation products
that are further degraded to carbon dioxide. The initial half-lives
are in the range of 22-82 days.
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are adsorbed on soil particles and
are non-mobile in the environment.
On plants, lambda-cyhalothrin degrades at a moderate rate (half-life
up to 40 days) and the major constituent of the residue on plants is
usually the parent compound. Lower levels of metabolites, resulting
from a range of hydrolytic and oxidative reactions, are also found.
No data are available on actual levels of cyhalothrin and lambda-
cyhalothrin in the environment, but with the current use pattern and
low application rates, these are expected to be low.
2.3 Uptake, Metabolism, and Excretion
Metabolic studies have been carried out on the rat, dog, cow, and
goat. In the rat and dog, cyhalothrin was shown to be well absorbed
after oral administration, extensively metabolized, and eliminated as
polar conjugates in urine. Cyhalothrin levels in rat tissues declined
on cessation of exposure to the compound. Residues in rat carcasses
were low (< 5% of the dose after 7 days) and were found to be almost
entirely due to cyhalothrin contained in fats. Residues in fats were
eliminated with a half-life of 23 days.
After oral administration to lactating cows, cyhalothrin was rapidly
eliminated, an equilibrium between ingestion and elimination being
reached after 3 days; 27% of the dose was eliminated in the urine,
50% in the faeces, and 0.8% in the milk. Urinary material consisted
entirely of ester cleavage metabolites and their conjugates; 60-70% of
the faecal [14C]-material was identified as unchanged cyhalothrin.
Tissue residues, 16 h after the last dose, were low, the highest
concentrations being detected in fat. The [14C]-residues in milk
and fatty tissues were almost entirely unchanged cyhalothrin, no other
component being detected.
In all mammalian species investigated, cyhalothrin was extensively
metabolized to the cyclopropane carboxylic acid and 3-phenoxybenzoic
acid, as a result of ester cleavage, and eliminated as conjugates.
In fish, the main residue in tissues consisted of unchanged
cyhalothrin, with lower levels of the ester cleavage products.
2.4 Effects on Organisms in the Environment
Under laboratory conditions of constant toxicant concentrations,
cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin were highly toxic for fish and
aquatic invertebrates. The 96-h LC50s for fish ranged between 0.2
and 1.3 µg/litre; the 48-h LC50s for aquatic invertebrates ranged
between 0.008 and 0.4µg/litre.
Accumulation studies, conducted under laboratory conditions with
constant concentrations, showed that rapid uptake takes place in fish
(accumulation factor approximately 1000-2000). However, in the
presence of soil and suspended sediment, the bioaccumulation factors
were greatly reduced - to 19 in the case of fish and 194 in the case
of Daphnia. When exposed fish and Daphnia were placed in clean
water, the residues declined rapidly, with half-lives of 7 days and
1 day, respectively. The concentrations of cyhalothrin and
lambda-cyhalothrin that are likely to arise in water from normal
agricultural application will be low. Because the compound is rapidly
adsorbed and degraded under natural conditions there will not be any
practical problems concerning the accumulation of residues or the
toxicity of cyhalothrin or lambda-cyhalothrin in aquatic species.
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are virtually non-toxic for birds;
the single dose LD50 was greater than 3950 mg/kg in all species
tested and the lowest 5-day dietary LD50 was 3948 mg/kg
(lambda-cyhalothrin fed to 8-day-old mallard ducks).
Under laboratory conditions, both cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin
were toxic for honey-bees; the oral LD50 for lambda-cyhalothrin was
0.97µg/bee. However, in the field, the hazard is lower since current
formulations have a repellent action that causes a suspension of
foraging activity in the treated crop. When foraging in the crop
restarts, there is no significant increase in bee mortality.
2.5 Effects on Experimental Animals and In Vitro Test Systems
The acute oral toxicity of cyhalothrin is moderate in rats and mice
and low in guinea-pigs and rabbits (rat LD50, 144-243 mg/kg; mouse
LD50, 37-62mg/kg; guinea-pig LD50, >5000 mg/kg; rabbit LD50,
>1000 mg/kg). The acute oral toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin is
higher than that of cyhalothrin (rat LD50, 56-79 mg/kg; mouse
LD50, 20 mg/kg). The dermal toxicities are as follows: rat LD50,
200-2000 mg/kg (cyhalothrin), 632-696mg/kg (lambda-cyhalothrin);
rabbit LD50, >2000 mg/kg (cyhalothrin). Cyhalothrin and
lambda-cyhalothrin are Type II pyrethroids; clinical signs include
ataxia, unsteady gait, and hyperexcitability.
In the rabbit, cyhalothrin is a moderate eye irritant and
lambda-cyhalothrin a mild eye irritant; both are mild skin irritants.
Cyhalothrin is not a skin irritant in the rat. However, it is a
moderate skin sensitizer in the guinea-pig. Lambda-cyhalothrin is not
a skin sensitizer.
In a 90-day feeding study in which rats were fed cyhalothrin at dose
levels of up to 250 mg/kg diet, reduced body weight gain was observed
in males at 250 mg/kg diet. Marginal effects on mean erythrocyte
volumes were noted in some treated groups, as well as some liver
changes, which were considered to be an adaptive response. In a
90-day feeding study in which rats were fed lambda-cyhalothrin at dose
levels of up to 250 mg/kg, reduced body weight gain was observed in
both sexes at 250 mg/kg. Some effects on clinical chemistry were
observed, as well as liver effects similar to those noted with
cyhalothrin. The no-observed-effect level was 50 mg/kg.
In a 26-week oral study in which doses of up to 10 mg cyhalothrin/kg
per day were administered to dogs, signs of pyrethroid toxicity were
observed at 10 mg/kg per day. The no-observed-effect level was
2.5 mg/kg body weight per day. A similar study was conducted in which
up to 3.5 mg lambda-cyhalothrin/kg body weight per day was administered
to dogs for 52 weeks. Clinical signs of pyrethroid toxicity
(neurological signs) were observed in all animals dosed with 3.5 mg/kg
body weight per day. The no-observed-effect level was 0.5 mg/kg per
day.
A 21-day study was conducted in which cyhalothrin in polyethylene
glycol was applied dermally to rabbits at dose levels of up to
1000 mg/kg per day. Clinical signs of toxicity were observed in some
animals at the highest dose level. Slight to severe skin irritation
was observed in all groups, including controls.
Cyhalothrin was tested in two 104-week feeding studies, one on rats
and one on mice. In the rat study, no oncogenic effects were observed
at dose levels up to 250 mg/kg diet (highest level tested). The
no-observed-effect level for systemic toxicity was 50 mg/kg diet
(1.8 mg/kg body weight per day). Decreased body weight gain was
observed in both sexes at 250 mg/kg diet. In the mouse study, no
oncogenic effects were observed at dose levels up to 500 mg/kg diet
(highest level tested). Clinical signs of pyrethroid toxicity were
observed at 100 and 500 mg/kg diet and reduced body weight gain was
observed at 500 mg/kg diet. The no-observed-effect level for systemic
toxicity was 20 mg/kg diet (1.9 mg/kg body weight per day). No
histological evidence of damage to the nervous system was observed in
either study.
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin gave negative results in a range of
in vivo and in vitro assays designed to detect gene mutations,
chromosomal damage, and other genotoxic effects. When orally
administered to the rat and rabbit during the period of major
organogenesis, cyhalothrin was neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic at
dose levels that elicited maternal toxicity (15 mg/kg per day for rats
and 30 mg/kg per day for rabbits, both highest dose levels tested).
A three-generation reproduction study was conducted on rats with
cyhalothrin at dose levels of up to 100 mg/kg diet. Minor decreases
in litter size and small reductions in weight gain were seen at
100 mg/kg diet; the no-observed-effect level for reproductive effects
was 30 mg/kg diet.
2.6 Effects on Human Beings
No cases of accidental poisoning have been described.
In manufacturing, formulation, laboratory work, and field usage,
symptoms of subjective facial sensation have been reported. This
effect generally lasts only a few hours, but occasionally persists for
up to 72 h after exposure; medical examination has not revealed any
neurological abnormalities.
Subjective facial skin sensations, which may be experienced by people
who handle cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, are believed to be
brought about by repetitive firing of sensory nerve terminals in the
skin; they may be considered as an early warning signal indicating
that overexposure of the bare skin has occurred.
There are no indications that cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, used
under the present recommended conditions and application rates, will
have any adverse effects on human beings.
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Conclusions
General population. The exposure of the general population to
cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin is expected to be very low and is
not likely to present a hazard under recommended conditions of use.
Occupational exposure. With good work practices, hygiene measures,
and safety precautions, cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are
unlikely to present a hazard to those occupationally exposed.
Environment. It is unlikely that cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, or
their degradation products will attain levels of adverse environmental
significance with recommended application rates. Under laboratory
conditions, cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are highly toxic for
fish, aquatic arthropods, and honey-bees. However, under field
conditions, lasting adverse effects are not likely to occur under
recommended conditions of use.
3.2 Recommendations
Although dietary levels from recommended usage are considered to be
very low, confirmation of this through inclusion of cyhalothrin and
lambda-cyhalothrin in monitoring studies should be considered.
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin have been used for several years
and cases of transient effects from occupational exposure have
occurred. Observation of human exposure should be maintained.
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1 Main Human Health Hazards, Prevention and Protection, First Aid
Cyhalothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide of moderate acute
toxicity (rat oral LD50, 144-243 mg/kg), unlikely to present an
acute hazard in normal use. Lambda-cyhalothrin is slightly more toxic
(rat oral LD50, 56-79 mg/kg). No cases of poisoning have been
described in the general population and none from occupational
exposure. The results of experimental animal studies suggest that,
following massive overexposure or accidental ingestion, neurological
signs and symptoms, such as tremors and convulsions, could occur.
The human health hazards associated with certain types of exposure to
cyhalothrin, together with preventive and protective measures and
first-aid recommendations, are listed in the International Chemical
Safety Card (section 6).
4.1.1 Advice to physicians
No specific antidote is known. A hazard with liquid formulations is
aspiration of the solvent into the lungs, resulting in chemical
pneumonitis. Therefore, do not induce vomiting; empty stomach only on
specialist advice using appropriate equipment. Treat symptomatically.
In case of convulsions, diazepam should be given slowly intravenously
or rectally in an appropriate dose (10 or 20 mg in an adult), and
repeated if necessary.
4.1.2 Health surveillance advice
A pre-employment and an annual general medical examination are advised
for regularly exposed workers. Occurrence of "facial skin sensations"
is an indication of exposures that should be corrected.
4.2 Explosion and Fire Hazards
Some solvents in pyrethroid formulations are highly flammable. Use
dry powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, sand, or earth for
dealing with fires. Do not use water. Cool nearby drums with water
spray. If pyrethroid products are involved in a major fire or in a
fire involving other products, advise the fire service that protective
clothing and breathing apparatus should be worn. Also, warn the
authorities that pyrethroids are highly toxic for fish, and that the
use of water should be confined to the cooling of unaffected stock,
thus avoiding accumulation of polluted run-off from the site.
4.3 Storage
Store technical material and formulations away from heat, under lock
and key, and out of reach of children, animals, and unauthorized
personnel. Store in an area designated for pesticide storage.
Prevent spills from leaking into watercourses.
Store away from foodstuffs and animal feed.
4.4 Transport
Pyrethroids are classified as harmful or low hazard for transport
purposes. Formulations based on flammable solvents may be subject to
local transport controls. Ensure that containers are sound and that
labels are securely fixed and undamaged before dispatch. Comply with
local transport regulations.
Do not load together with foodstuffs and animal feed.
4.5 Spillage and Disposal
4.5.1 Spillage
Empty any product remaining in damaged or leaking containers into a
clean empty drum and affix the correct label.
Absorb spillage with lime, damp sawdust, sand, or earth and dispose of
safely (see below). If spillage is large, contain it by building a
barrier of earth or sandbags.
Decontaminate empty, damaged, or leaking containers with a 10% sodium
carbonate solution added at the rate of at least 1 litre per 20-litre
drum. Puncture containers to prevent reuse.
4.5.2 Disposal
Waste containing cyhalothrin or lambda-cyhalothrin should be burnt in
a suitable high-temperature incinerator fitted with a high-efficiency
gas scrubbing system. Where no incinerator is available, contaminated
absorbents or surplus products should be decomposed by hydrolysis at
pH12 or above. Contact with a suitable hydrolysing agent is required
to ensure degradation of the active ingredient to a safe
concentration.
For emulsifiable material: 5% sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
solution or saturated (7-10%)
sodium carbonate (washing soda)
solution can be used
For non-emulsifiable material: use a 1:1 mixture (by volume) of
either of the above solutions and a
water/oil soluble solvent, such as
denatured alcohol, monoethylene
glycol, hexylene glycol, or
2-propanol
Cover the material with a hydrolysing agent and leave to stand for 7
days. Before disposal of the resultant waste, the material must be
analysed to ensure that the active ingredient has been degraded to a
safe level.
Never pour untreated waste or surplus products into public sewers or
where there is any danger of run-off or seepage into streams,
watercourses, open waterways, ditches, fields with drainage systems,
or the catchment areas of boreholes, wells, springs, or ponds.
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
Cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are very toxic for fish, aquatic
invertebrates, and honey-bees but, because very low exposure levels
normally occur, this would only cause a problem in the case of
spillage. The toxicity for birds is low.
With recommended techniques and rates of application, it is unlikely
that cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin and their degradation products
will attain levels of adverse environmental significance.
Avoid spraying over bodies of water. Do not contaminate ponds,
waterways, or ditches with the product or used containers.
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
This card should be easily available to all health workers concerned
with, and users of, cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. It should be
displayed at, or near, entrances to areas where there is potential
exposure to cyhalothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, and on processing
equipment and containers. The card should be translated into the
appropriate language(s). All persons potentially exposed to the
chemicals should also have the instructions on the chemical safety
card clearly explained.
Space is available on the card for the insertion of the National
Occupational Exposure Limit, the address and telephone number of the
National Poison Control Centre, and for local trade names.
CYHALOTHRIN
(C23H19C1F3NO3)
CAS chemical name: (R+S)-alpha-cyano-3-(phenoxyphenyl)methyl(1 S+1 R)-
cis-3( z-2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate
CAS registry number: cyhalothrin: 68085-85-8
lambda-cyhalothrin: 91465-08-6
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CYHALOTHRIN LAMBDA- OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
CYHALOTHRIN
Relative molecular mass 449.9 449.9 Technical cyhalothrin is a yellow-
Melting point (°C) - 49.2 brown viscous liquid with a mild
Decomposition (°C) > 275 > 275 odour; it consists of selected
Water solubility 4 × 10-3 mg/litre 5 × 10-3 mg/litre isomers of a chlorotrifluoro derivative
Solubility in organic solvent soluble soluble of chrysanthemic acid; it is stable
n-Octanol water-partition to light and at temperatures below
coefficient log Pow (20°C) 6.9 7.0 220°C
Density 1.25 g/ml 1.33 g/ml It is a pyrethroid insecticide used
Vapour pressure as a stomach and contact insecticide
(kPa at 20°C) 1 × 10-9 2 × 10-10 in agriculture; it is also used in public
(kPa at 80°C) 4 × 10-6 3 × 10-6 and animal health
HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION FIRST AID
SKIN: Irritating to skin; Proper application techniques; Remove contaminated clothing;
facial skin sensations proper skin protection; clean wash skin with water and soap
protective equipment before re-use
EYES: Irritating to eyes Wear face shield, goggles Flush with clean water for a least
15 minutes
INHALATION: Irritation of Avoid inhalation of fine dust and Fresh air
upper respiratory system mist
INGESTION: Unlikely to be Do not eat, drink, or smoke during
a significant occupational work; wash hands before eating,
hazard drinking, or smoking
Accidental or deliberate Obtain medical attention
ingestion could lead to immediately; if breathing has
neurological signs and symptoms, stopped, apply artificial
such as tremors and convulsions respiration
A hazard of ingested liquid Do not induce vomiting
formulations is aspiration into
the lungs
ENVIRONMENT: Very toxic Do not contaminate ponds, Effect on ponds can be minimized by
for fish and honey-bees waterways, or ditches with by the addition of soil
product or used containers
SPILLAGE STORAGE FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Absorb spillage with lime, damp Store in locked, well-ventilated Some liquid formulations may be highly
sawdust, sand, or earth; sweep up, storeroom, away from feed flammable; use dry powder, carbon
place in closed container and and foodstuffs, children, and dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam; cool
dispose of safely; avoid contamination unauthorized personnel nearby drums with water spray
of personnel, ponds, and waterways
WASTE DISPOSAL
Burn in high-temperature National Occupational Exposure Limit:
incinerator with effluent scrubbing;
alternatively, treat with 5% caustic
soda as a hydrolysing agent for 7
days; comply with local regulations National Poison Control Centre:
Local trade names:
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
The information given in this section has been extracted from the
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) legal
file and other United Nations sources. The intention is to give the
reader a representative, but not exhaustive, overview of current
regulations, guidelines, and standards.
The reader should be aware that regulatory decisions about chemicals
taken in a certain country can only be fully understood in the
framework of the legislation of that country. Furthermore, the
regulations and guidelines of all countries are subject to change and
should always be verified with the appropriate regulatory authorities
before application.
7.1 Previous Evaluations by International Bodies
Cyhalothrin was discussed by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide
Residues (JMPR) in 1984 and 1986. The JMPR established an acceptable
daily intake (ADI) for cyhalothrin of 0-0.02 mg/kg body weight (1984),
and proposed a temporary MRL (maximum residue limit) of 0.2 mg/kg on
pome fruit and cabbages and 0.02 mg/kg on cottonseed, cottonseed oil,
and potatoes (the level refers to the sum of cyhalothrin isomers)
(1988).
7.2 Exposure Limit Values
The values recommended by the JMPR are mentioned above.
7.3 Specific Restrictions
No information available.
7.4 Labelling, Packaging, and Transport
The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transportation of
Dangerous Goods classifies pyrethroids in:
- Hazard class 6.1: poisonous substance
- Packing group III: a substance presenting a relatively low
risk of poisoning in transport.
The label should be as follows:
The bottom half of the label should bear the inscription:
Harmful, stow away from foodstuffs.
European Community legislation requires labelling as a dangerous
substance, using the symbol:
The label must read:
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed;
keep out of reach of children; keep away from food, drink, and
animal feeding stuff.
7.5 Waste Disposal
In some countries, specific permits are required for the discharge of
pyrethroids from any point source into surface or underground waters.
Detailed conditions before such discharges are permitted are laid
down.
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