International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 53 (1991) (p. 251)

Deltamethrin

CAS No.: 52918-63-5

trans-Deltamethrin

CAS No.: 64363-96-8

5.1 Exposure data

Deltamethrin is a highly active contact insecticide. It was first marketed in 1977 and is used mostly on cotton and on crops such as coffee, maize, cereals, fruit, vegetables and hops. It is also used in public health programmes and for the protection of stored crops.

Deltamethrin has been formulated as solutions, concentrates, granules, powders and aerosols, alone and in combination with other pesticides.

Exposure can occur during its production and application and, at much lower levels, from the consumption of food containing residues.

5.2 Carcinogenicity in humans

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.3 Carcinogenicity in experimental animals

Deltamethrin was tested for carcinogenicity in one experiment in mice and in one experiment in rats by oral administration. In mice, no increase in tumour incidence was seen. In rats, a statistically significant increase in the incidence of unspecified thyroid adenomas was observed in low-dose males and high-dose females.

5.4 Other relevant data

No data were available on the genetic and related effects of deltamethrin in humans.

Deltamethrin induced micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and abnormal sperm morphology in mice treated in vivo. The only other indication of genotoxic potential was induction of chromosomal aberrations in plants.

5.5 Evaluation

No data were available from studies in humans.

There is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of deltamethrin in experimental animals.

Overall evaluation

Deltamethrin is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms for Deltamethrin

• Butox
• Butoflin
• Cislin
• Crackdown
• (S)-a-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl, (1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclo-
  propanecarboxylate
• Decamethrin
• Decamethrine
• Decis
• cis-Deltamethrin
• (1R-(1a(S*),3a))-(2,2-Dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid,
  cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester
• FMC 45498
• K-Othrine
• NRDC 161
• OMS 1998
• RU 22974
• RUP 987

Synonyms for trans-Deltamethrin

• (S)-a-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl, (1R,3SR)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-
  dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate
• 1R-(1a(S*),3b))-(2,2-Dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester
• RU 26979

Last updated: 20 November 1997

    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 (Pesticide residues in food: 1984 evaluations)
       Deltamethrin (JMPR Evaluations 2000 Part II Toxicological)
       Deltamethrin (UKPID)