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Pesticide News Story: New Pyrethrins and Pyrethroid Information Available
For Release: June 19, 2009
Three new items on EPA’s Web site will enhance the public’s access to information about pesticides in the pyrethrin/ pyrethroid class of insecticides. These items are 1) a new consolidated Web page on these chemicals, 2) a paper and related fact sheet on the Agency’s analysis of whether an association exists between pyrethrin/ pyrethroid exposure and asthma and allergies, and 3) a description of new environmental hazard and general labeling for non-agricultural outdoor use pyrethroid products, including tips for consumers to use in reducing the potential for pesticide runoff and drift. The new items are described further below.
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has launched a new Web site on pyrethrins and pyrethroids. On this site, you can access information about EPA’s reevaluation of these pesticides, assessment of pyrethrin and pyrethroid incidents, and other related topics and issues. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are insecticides included in over 3,500 registered products, many of which are used widely in and around households, including on pets, in mosquito control, and in agriculture. The use of pyrethrins and pyrethroids has increased during the past decade with the declining use of organophosphate pesticides, which are more acutely toxic to birds and mammals than the pyrethroids. This new Web site is available.
Included on this Web site is a new paper on pyrethrin/pyrethroid products and asthma/allergy effects. Differing from previous reviews, this review uses a “weight of the evidence approach” to determine whether there is a clear and consistent association between pyrethrins/pyrethroid exposure and asthma and allergies. From this analysis, the Agency has concluded that there is no clear evidence of an association. For more information on this paper, visit https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reevaluation/paw-factsheet.html.
Also included on the new Web site is a page on Environmental Hazard and General Labeling for Pyrethroid Non-Agricultural Outdoor Products. This page describes the revised “Environmental Hazard Statements” and general “Directions for Use” language for pyrethroid pesticide products used in non-agricultural outdoor settings, which affects over 2,000 end-use pyrethroid pesticides. The revised label language will reduce the potential for pesticide runoff and drift of pyrethroid pesticides, ultimately providing better protection to aquatic habitats and the environment. Consumers can begin using these improved practices to protect water resources. Visit the Web site to find out more information on this labeling initiative.