Cypermethrin (CAS:52315-07-8,86753-92-6,65731-84-2,71697-59-1)

Appearance:Light yellow clear viscous liquid free from extraneous impurities.

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid used as an insecticide in large-scale commercial

agricultural applications as well as in consumer products for domestic purposes. It behaves

as a fast-acting neurotoxin in insects. It is easily degraded on soil and plants but can be

effective for weeks when applied to indoor inert surfaces. Exposure to sunlight, water and

oxygen will accelerate its decomposition. Cypermethrin is highly toxic to fish, bees and

aquatic insects, according to the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network

(NPTN). It is found in many household ant and cockroach killers, including Raid and ant chalk.

Human exposure

Excessive exposure can cause nausea, headache, muscle weakness, salivation, shortness

of breath and seizures. In humans, cypermethrin is deactivated by enzymatic hydrolysis to

several carboxylic acid metabolites, which are eliminated in the urine. Worker exposure to

the chemical can be monitored by measurement of the urinary metabolites, while severe

overdosage may be confirmed by quantitation of cypermethrin in blood or plasma.

Environmental effects

Cypermethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide, which means it kills beneficial insects and

animals as well as the targeted insects. Fish are particularly susceptible to cypermethrin.

Resistance to cypermethrin has developed quickly in insects exposed frequently and

can render it ineffective.