Abstract
Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of natural pyrethrins extracted from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. They are 2250 times more toxic to insects than to vertebrates due to insects’ smaller size, lower body temperature and more sensitive sodium channels. In particular, three pyrethroid compounds, namely deltamethrin, permethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin, are commonly used as insecticides and are recommended for in-home insect control because they are considered to be relatively non-toxic to humans in all stages of life. However, recent data show that they are not completely harmless to human health as they may enter the body through skin contact, by inhalation and food or water, and absorption level depending on the type of food. Permethrin seems to have an adverse effect on fertility, the immune system, cardiovascular and hepatic metabolism as well as enzymatic activity. Deltamethrin induces inflammation, nephro- and hepatotoxicity and influences the activity of antioxidant enzymes in tissues. Alpha-cypermethrin may impair immunity and act to increase glucose and lipid levels in blood. The aim of the review is to provide comprehensive information on potential hazards associated to human exposure to deltamethrin, permethrin and alpha-cypermethrin. The results of presented studies prove that the insecticides must be used with great caution.
Highlights
Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of natural pyrethrins from the plant Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium.They comprise esters of chrysanthemum acid (ethyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-isobutenyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate) and halogenated derivatives of their acids and alcohols [1,2,3]
The aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive information on potential hazards associated with human exposure to three pyrethroids: Deltamethrin, permethrin and α-cypermethrin, which are insecticides recommended for in-home insect control as being relatively non-toxic to humans and mammals
The neurotoxic activity of deltamethrin is connected with the prolonged opening of voltage-gated sodium channels which results in membrane depolarization of neurons, repetitive discharges and synaptic disturbances leading to hyperexcitatory symptoms of poisoning in insects [2,3]
Summary
Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of natural pyrethrins from the plant Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. Type II pyrethroids cause salivation, the choreoathetosis-salivation syndrome (CS) and motor dysfunction in mammals In addition to their effects on sodium channels, these compounds are known to affect chloride channels, including. The review contains data on model experiments, animals and human studies published from 1988 to 2018 Due to these pesticides’ degree of toxicity, it is extremely important to investigate the action of pyrethroids, to systematize and publish the available data. Another important issue is that the pesticides are recommended to protect against insect-borne diseases, possibly causing them to be used daily in the household [7,24]
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