The Effects of Pyrethroid and Triazine Pesticides on Fish Physiology

Abstract

Worldwide pesticide usage has increased dramatically during the past two decades, coinciding with changes in farming practices and increasingly intensive agriculture. Environmental pollution caused by pesticides, especially in aquatic ecosystems, has become a serious problem. Contamination of water by pesticides, either directly or indirectly, can lead to fish kills, reduced fish productivity, or elevated concentrations of undesirable chemicals in edible fish tissue which can affect the health of humans consuming these fish. Residual amounts of pesticides and their metabolites have been found in drinking water and foods, increasing concern for the possible threats to human health posed by exposure to these chemicals. Contamination of surface waters has been well documented worldwide and constitutes a major issue at local, regional, national, and global levels (Cerejeira et al., 2003; Spalding et al., 2003). Synthetic analogues of the pyrethrins, extracts from the ornamental Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, have been developed to circumvent the rapid photodegradation problem encountered with the natural insecticidal pyrethrins. The widespread use of these insecticides leads to the exposure of manufacturing workers, field applicators, the ecosystem, and the public to their possible toxic effects (Solomon et al., 2001). During investigations to modify the chemical structure of natural pyrethrins, a number of synthetic pyrethroids were produced with improved physical (involatility, lipophilicity) properties and greater insecticidal activity (knockdown). Several of the earlier synthetic pyrethroids have been successfully adapted for commercial use, mainly for the control of household insects. Other more recently developed pyrethroids have been introduced as agricultural insecticides because of their effectiveness against a wide range of insect pests and their nonpersistence in the environment. Synthetic pyrethroids are fairly rapidly degraded in soil and in plants. Ester hydrolysis and oxidation at various sites on the molecule are the major degradation processes. Pyrethroids are strongly adsorbed on soil and sediments, and minimally eluted with water. There is little tendency for bioaccumulation in organisms (Haya, 1989). More than 1,000 pyrethroids have been synthesized since 1973. Their toxicity for non-target organisms is in the parts per billion (Bradbury & Coast, 1989). Synthetic pyrethroids are non-systemic insecticides. Type I pyrethroids (e.g. bifenthrin, permethrin) block sodium channels in nerve filaments and cause the ‘T-syndrome’ in