Permethrin is a man-made insecticide, structurally similar to a naturally-occurring chemical called pyrethrum. Pyrethrum was initially derived from the crushed dried flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum, whose insecticidal properties have been recognized since the 18th century. The permethrin which is currently sold to consumers is a synthesized product that was developed in the 1970's.
How does permethrin work? Permethrin works as a contact insecticide, damaging the nervous system of insects which come in contact with it, leading to either their death or "knockdown". Permethrin is effective against multiple species of crawling and flying insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, bedbugs, chiggers, and flies. Ticks crawling across permethrin-treated pant legs or socks are likely to drop off before they are able to attach and feed. Studies have shown that permethrin-treated bed nets can dramatically reduce the risk of getting malaria, through their ability to kill mosquitoes that fly into the treated netting.
Is Permethrin Safe?
Permethrin should be applied to clothing or other fabrics. It is not intended for direct application to the skin. Once Permethrin has dried on the clothing it bind very strongly to the fibers and absorption through the skin is negligible.
Any permethrin that may get on the skin inadvertently is poorly absorbed (less than 2% of applied dose). It is rapidly inactivated by skin and liver esterases, its metabolites are then excreted by the kidneys. Occupational exposure to high doses of permethrin has been associated with symptoms of of itching, burning and numbness. Studies have shown permethrin not to be a human teratogen, mutagen, or carcinogen.
Permethrin is also environmentally safe as it is degraded by sunlight, its half life is less than 30 days in soil and the chemical is readily metabolized by soil microorganisms
TENGARD PERMETHRIN LABEL
TENGARD PERMETHRIN MSDS
Permethrin is a powerful, rapidly acting insecticide,similar in structure to natural pyrethrim insecticide derived from the crushed and dried flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium. Permethrin is a human-made synthetic pyrethroid. It does not repel insects like DEET does but works as a contact insecticide, causing nervous system toxicity that leads to the death or "knockdown" (out of the air) of the insect. The chemical is effective against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and chiggers. Permethrin has low toxicity in mammals, is poorly absorbed by the skin, and is rapidly inactivated by ester hydrolysis(the insect can quickly get rid of it so it does not necessarily kill. Permethrin should be applied directly to clothing or other fabrics (such as tent walls or mosquito nets, not to skin. The spray form is nonstaining, nearly odorless, and resistant to degradation by heat or sun and maintains its potency for at least 2 weeks, even through several washings. In a field trial conducted in Alaska, persons wearing permethrin-treated uniforms and a polymer-based 35% DEET product had more than 99.9% protection (1 bite per hour) over 8 hours, even under conditions of intense biting pressures; unprotected persons received an average of 1188 bites per hour. Molecular Formula: C21H20Cl2O3Synonyms:Ambush; Ectiban; Pounce; 3-(2,2-Dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester; (3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (+/-)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate. Physical Properties:
Is Permetrin Safe? Permethrin should be applied to clothing or other fabrics. It is not intended for direct application to the skin. Once Permethrin has dried on the clothing it bind very strongly to the fibres and absorption through the skin is negligible. Any permethrin that may get on the skin inadvertently is poorly absorbed (less than 2% of applied dose). It is rapidly inactivated by skin and liver esterases, its metabolites are then excreted by the kidneys. Occupational exposure to high doses of permethrin has been associated with symptoms of of itching, burning and numbness. Studies have shown permethrin not to be a human teratogen, mutagen, or carcinogen. Permethrin is also environmentally safe as it is degraded by sunlight, its half life is less than 30 days in soil and the chemical is readily metabolized by soil microorganisms. |
