Chemical Properties
Viscous Semisolid
Uses
A potent inhibitor of calcineurin
Uses
Synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, usually exists as a mixture of cis and trans isomers. Ectoparasiticide
Definition
ChEBI: A carboxylic ester resulting from the formal condensation between 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid and the alcoholic hydroxy group of hydroxy(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetonitrile.
Biological Activity
Type II synthetic pyrethroid insecticide; an extremely potent, cell-permeable inhibitor of calcineurin.
Potential Exposure
Pyrethroid insecticide used to control
pests on cotton, fruit, and vegetable crops. Also used in
commercial and residential settings, ships, laboratories, and
food-processing plants. A United States Environmental
Protection Agency Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP).
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
breathing has stopped, and CPR if heart action has stopped.
Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical
has been swallowed, get medical attention. Do not induce
vomiting when formulations containing petroleum solvents
are ingested. Otherwise, give large quantities of water and
induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person
vomit.
Shipping
UN3349 Pyrethroid pesticide, solid toxic,
Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous material. UN3352
Pyrethroid pesticide, liquid toxic, Hazard Class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
May react violently with strong oxidi-
zers, bromine, 90% hydrogen peroxide, phosphorus
trichloride, silver powders, or dust. Incompatible with silver
compounds. Mixture with some silver compounds forms
explosive salts of silver oxalate.
Waste Disposal
Incineration would be an
effective disposal procedure where permitted. If an efficient incinerator is not available, the product should be mixed
with large amounts of combustible material and contact
with the smoke should be avoided. In accordance with 40
CFR 165, follow recommendations for the disposal of pes-
ticides and pesticide containers.
Agricultural Uses
Insecticide: A U.S. EPA restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) used to control a variety of insects on cotton, fruit and vegetable crops. Also used in commercial and residential settings, ships, laboratories and food processing plants.
Trade name
AMMO®; AGROTHRIN®; ARDAP®; ARRIVO®; AVICADE®; BARRICADE®; CCN52®; CNN 52®; CYMBUSH® 2E; CYMBUSH® 3E; CYMPERATOR®; CYNOFF®; CYPERCARE®; CYPERSECT®; CYPERKILL®; CYRUX®; DEMON®; DORSAN-C® (+cypermethrin); DYSECT®; FASTAC®; FLECTRON®; FMC® 30980; FMC 45497; FMC® 45806; FOLCORD®; IMPERATOR®; JF 5705 F®; KAFIL® SUPER; KENCIS®; NAGATA®; NRDC 149®; NRDC 160®; NRDC 166®; NURELLE; POLYTRIN®; PERMASECT C®; PP383®; PREVAIL®; RALO 10®; RIPCORD®; ROCYPER®; RYCOPEL®; SHERPA®; SIPERIN®; STOCKADE®; SUPERSECT®; TOPCLIPPARASOL®; USTAAD®; WL 43467®; WRDC149®
Environmental Fate
Soil. The major soil metabolite was reported to be 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (Hartley and Kidd, 1987).
The typical half-life of cypermethrin in the soil is 30 days, although it can range from two to eight weeks (6, 9). Soil microbes rapidly break down cypermethrin.
Cypermethrin has an extremely low potential to move in the soil. It is unlikely to contaminate groundwater because it binds tightly to soil particles. Cypermethrin is stable in sunlight.
The average half-life of cypermethrin on foliage is 5 days.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (1989). Cypermethrin Pesticide Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C.
Knisel, W.G. (Ed.). (1993). Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems. (Version 2.10). [Online]. Tifton, Georgia: United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research Service. [Online]. http://www.arsusda.gov/ rsml/ppdb.html
Metabolic pathway
In cabbage plants, (1R)-cis- and (1R)-trans-isomers of
cypermethrin undergo epimerization to (1S)-isomers,
cis=trans isomerization, ester bond cleavage,
hydroxylation of the phenoxy group in the alcohol
moiety or the geminal methyl group in the acid moiety,
hydration of the cyano group to an amido group with
subsequent hydrolysis to the carboxylic acid, and the
conjugation of the carboxylic acid, and alcohols with
sugars.
Degradation
Zeta-cypermethrin is stable as a solid but it is readily hydrolysed at
alkaline pH. Its half-lives at pH values 7 and 9 (25 °C) were 188-635 and
3 days (PM). By analogy with cypermethrin, the major products should
be 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylica cid (2,
DCVA), 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (9, 3PBAl) and a-carbamoyl-3-
phenoxybenzyl 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate
(the amide 3); minor products expected are the a-carboxy analogue of
3 (4) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (10,3PBA) (see cypermethrin, Schemes
la and lb).
Photodecomposition would be expected to be similar to that of cypermethrin.
In aqueous solution the DTSo was reported to be 20-36 days
(PM).
Toxicity evaluation
Acute oral LD50 for rats: 250-4,150 mg/kg (pure); 7,180
mg/kg (technical grade)
