C hemicalWatch Factsheet A Beyond Pesticides/ NCAMP Factsheet Fenvalerate

A synthetic pyrethroid, fen- mosquito and blackfly repellent sprays. low vapor pressure, 1.1 x 10-8mm valerate is registered for a wide The synthetic pyrethroids act as ex- Hg at 25°C, indicating that it has array of crop uses, as well as citatory nerve poisons, thought to poison essentially no predisposition to a termiticide and insect repel- by interfering with the ionic permeability evaporate into the air. According lent. First developed in 1974 by of nerve cell membranes. Synthetic py- to EPA, the database is essentially Sumitomo Chemical Co. of Japan rethroids as a class have now captured complete, and the Agency has no (Sumicidin™), fenvalerate is also an estimated 30% of the commercial in- chronic toxicity concerns. distributed in the U.S. by E.I. du secticide market, due to their generally However, there have been Pont de Nemours and Company lower acute toxicity and field persistence a number of reports of workers (Pydrin™), Velsicol (Tribute™), compared to classical organochlorine and exposed to fenvalerate residues and Shell International (Bel- organophosphate-type insecticides. developing itchy, burning skin, mark™), among others. Crop In common with most synthetic typically without a rash, respira- uses include cotton, soybeans, pyrethroids, fenvalerate is of low acute tory symptoms (sneezing, runny corn, vegetables, apples, peaches, toxicity to mammals, especially when nose, cough, difficulty breathing), pears, and nuts. dissolved in water, where the oral LD50 in and eye irritation. Others devel- On August 5, 1987 EPA reg- rats is greater than 3200 mg/kg. It is more oped a peculiar tingling and burn- istered termiticide uses for fen- toxic when dissolved in OMSO. Dermal ing sensation of the hands and valerate, the newest chemical toxicity is also low, with an LD50 greater face, which generally abated a�er alternative to the voluntarily than 2500 mg/kg in rabbits. 24 hours. Sweden discontinued cancelled cyclodiene termiticides, Fenvalerate is quickly metabolized the use of fenvalerate in forestry including chlordane. Evercide™, and excreted in urine. It also has a very because of such reports. manufactured by MGK, In general, the Inc., of Minneapolis, is alpha-cyano py - UPDATE: September 2007 restricted to use by pest rethroids, such as control operators; no ho- 2003 VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION fenvalerate, inter- meowner formulations fere with the abil- Researchers have reported that fenvalerate may will be available. Trib- ity of nerve cells to cause developmental effects in aquatic organisms. Work ute™ is also available as by Reynaldi et al., (2006) found that exposure to fenvaler- recharge, causing a soil termiticide. ate reduced feeding activity, resulting in growth retarda- nerve cells to fire for Fenvalerate has tion and delayed maturity in Daphnia magna (water fleas). abnormally long pe- been in the news lately Occupational exposure to fenvalerate may lead to repro- riods. This can lead due to over 200 reports ductive effects as seen in research conducted by Lifeng et to unusual and pain- of dog and cat poison- al (2006). Their work reported that the semen quality of ful sensations, ‘called ings, including 26 deaths male factory workers exposed to fenvalerate was signifi- dysesthesia and par- following use of Block- cantly affected. esthesia. Flannagan, ade™ , a Hartz Mountain In December 2003, the EPA issued a Cancellation et al. conducted a tick and flea repellent Order for fenvalerate a�er the registrants requested its double blind study, formulation combining cancellation. Products may still be sold, distributed, and published in 1985, used until existing stocks have been exhausted. fenvalerate with DEET, of the sensory nerve an ingredient in most effects that can fol- low fenvalerate or permethrin (a tion of Vitamin E to exposed areas could the label within 12 months of ap- non-cyano pyrethroid) exposure. completely block these effects. They also plication, implying some persis- The effects, sensory dysesthesia, noted that the myelinated (insulated) tence in soil, and also generally following fenvalerate exposure nerves of vertebrates can sequester pyre- prohibits feeding waste greens were four-fold more intense than throid residues for a period of time. and forage to livestock. those following permethrin expo- Fenvalerate is extremely toxic to bees sure. Interestingly, the researchers and fish. The Pydrin™ label prohibits found that immediate applica- planting root crops other than those on

Reprinted from Volume 8, Number 2, June, 1988

Fenvalerate chemicalWATCH Factsheet Bibliography

Farm Chemicals Handbook. 1989. Eds. C. Sine, et al. Meister Publishing Co., Willoughby,OH.

Flannigan, S.A., et al. 1985. “Synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: A dermatological evaluation.” Brit. I. Indust. Med. 42:363- 372.

Knox, M., et al. 1984. “Paresthesia from cutaneous exposure to a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide.” Arch. Dermatol. 120:744-746.

Kolmodin-Hedman, B., et al. 1982. “Occupational exposure to some synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin and fenvalerate).” Arch. Toxicol. 50:27-33.

Linfeng, T., et al. 2006. “Effects of fenvalerate exposure on semen quality among occupational workers.” Contraception.73: 92-96.

The Merck Index. 1983. 10th ed. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ.

“Pet spray controversy: EP A studying effects of ‘Hartz BlockadeTM ,’” The Washington Post, September 11, 1987.

Reynaldi, S., et al. 2006. ”Linking feeding activity and maturation of Daphnia magna following short-term exposure to fenvalerate”. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 25:1826-30.

Thomson, W.T. 1984. Agricultural Chemicals: Insecticides. Thomson Publications, Fresno, CA.

Tucker, S.B. & S.A. Flannigan. 1983. “Cutaneous effects from occupational exposure to fen valerate.” Arch. Toxicol. 54:195- 202.

U.S.-EPA. 1987. “Chemical alternatives to the cydodienes for termite control (registered as of 8/87).” Office of Pesticide Programs. Washington, DC.

U.S.-EPA. 1985. Le�er from John Moore to Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt concerning report of ca�le ear-tag toxicity to fish. Office of Pesticides & Toxic Substances. Washington, DC.

Wouters, W. & J. Van den Berken. 1978. “Review: Action of pyrethroids.” Gen. Pharmacal. 9:387-398.

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