Deltamethrin

Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used for a variety of purposes, including crop protection, pest control in homes and livestock, and malaria vector control[1][2]. It is a replacement for organophosphate and organochlorinated pesticides due to their harmful and persistent features[1]. Deltamethrin is chemically stable, non-volatile, lipophilic, and readily soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water, making its formulations suspensions rather than solutions[1]. The risk of inhalation poisoning is low, and it is readily absorbed orally and through the skin[1]. Deltamethrin plasma concentration peaks at about two hours after exposure and is excreted mainly in the urine and partly via feces[1].

Deltamethrin poisoning can occur through occupational exposure, particularly in agricultural workers, packaging workers, and those who intentionally ingest it[1]. Symptoms of local exposure include erythema, burning sensations, red miliary papules, rhinorrhoea, lacrimation, sneezing, and pruritus, which may last for two days followed by desquamation of the exposed skin area[1]. Ingestion of deltamethrin can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fatigue, photophobia, salivation, myosis, tachycardia, paresthesia, muscle cramps, twitches, fasciculations, and even loss of consciousness[1]. Large ingestions of more than 500 mg can cause severe toxicity with convulsions and pulmonary edema[1].

Deltamethrin is used in the production of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the management of malaria[2]. However, resistance to deltamethrin has been identified in several insects, including mosquitoes and bed bugs, which threatens the success of worldwide vector control[2]. It is also used in agriculture, primarily for crop protection, and is formulated as solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, flowable powders, wettable powders, ultra-low-volume concentrates, dusts, aerosols, granules, and concentrated suspensions[3].

In summary, deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide with a wide range of applications, including crop protection, pest control, and malaria vector control. While it is generally considered safe for use around humans, it can cause poisoning through occupational exposure or intentional ingestion, and its effectiveness is threatened by the development of resistance in target insects.

Citations:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9969900/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltamethrin

[3] https://publications.iarc.fr/_publications/media/download/1852/cb2b6b52277c42e1da649c1d2db0b2fe0c2320b8.pdf

[4] http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/deltamethrin.html

[5] https://www.amazon.com/D-Fense-SC-Deltamethrin-Insecticide-Pint/dp/B0076O8CI0