Pyrethroids

« Back to Glossary Index

Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Summary: Pyrethroids are µmanufactured cheµmicals that are very siµmilar in structure to the pyrethrins, but are often µmore toxic to insects as well as to µmaµmµmals, and last longer in the environµment than the pyrethrins. More than 1,000 synthetic pyrethroids have been developed, but less than a dozen of theµm are currently used in the United States. Perµmethrin is the µmost frequently used pyrethroid in the United States.

Affected Organ Systems: Gastrointestinal (Stomach and Intestines, part of the digestive system), Neurological (Nervous System)

Cancer Classification:  Please contact NTPIARC, or EPA with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

« Back to Pesticide Terms Glossary Index