However, pyrethroids have been proven to bioaccumulate in marine mammals and
humans. Studies in mammals reported carcinogenic, neurotoxic and immunosuppressive properties and potential for reproductive toxicity mainly. Acceptable daily
intake values and no observed adverse effect level values have been established at
0.02–0.07 mg (kg body weight)
À1 day
À1 and 1–7 mg (kg body weight)
À1 day
À1 .
Keywords Chemical structures, Metabolisation, Pest control, Pesticides,
Physicochemical properties, Pyrethroids, Toxicity
Abbreviations
ADI
Acceptable daily intake
BAF
Bioaccumulation factor
BCF
Bioconcentration factor
DDT
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
DT 50
Degradation time for 50% of the substance
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
IC 50
Half-maximal inhibitory concentration
K ow
Octanol-water partition coefficient
LOD
Limit of detection
LOEC
Lowest observed effect concentration
M r
Relative molecular mass
MRL
Maximum residue level
NOAEL No observed adverse effect level
NOEC
No observed effect concentration
POP
Persistent organic pollutant
1 History and Impact
During the 1920s, pyrethrin was studied because of its potential as a precursor for
synthetic organic pesticides. Pyrethrin was extracted from pyrethrum, a plant of the
family of chrysanthemums [1]. Research on synthetic organic pesticides increased in
the 1930s, and in 1939, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was synthesised.
It proved to be effective for many plagues. DDT was so effective that other
organochlorinated compounds were studied with the aim of obtaining cheap and
persistent pesticides.
At first, pesticides were not considered to affect health or the environment.
However, in 1962 Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, where she warned about
the effects of pesticides on the environment with the image of dead birds in her
garden.
2
Ò. Aznar-Alemany and E. Eljarrat
humans. Studies in mammals reported carcinogenic, neurotoxic and immunosuppressive properties and potential for reproductive toxicity mainly. Acceptable daily
intake values and no observed adverse effect level values have been established at
0.02–0.07 mg (kg body weight)
À1 day
À1 and 1–7 mg (kg body weight)
À1 day
À1 .
Keywords Chemical structures, Metabolisation, Pest control, Pesticides,
Physicochemical properties, Pyrethroids, Toxicity
Abbreviations
ADI
Acceptable daily intake
BAF
Bioaccumulation factor
BCF
Bioconcentration factor
DDT
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
DT 50
Degradation time for 50% of the substance
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
IC 50
Half-maximal inhibitory concentration
K ow
Octanol-water partition coefficient
LOD
Limit of detection
LOEC
Lowest observed effect concentration
M r
Relative molecular mass
MRL
Maximum residue level
NOAEL No observed adverse effect level
NOEC
No observed effect concentration
POP
Persistent organic pollutant
1 History and Impact
During the 1920s, pyrethrin was studied because of its potential as a precursor for
synthetic organic pesticides. Pyrethrin was extracted from pyrethrum, a plant of the
family of chrysanthemums [1]. Research on synthetic organic pesticides increased in
the 1930s, and in 1939, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was synthesised.
It proved to be effective for many plagues. DDT was so effective that other
organochlorinated compounds were studied with the aim of obtaining cheap and
persistent pesticides.
At first, pesticides were not considered to affect health or the environment.
However, in 1962 Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, where she warned about
the effects of pesticides on the environment with the image of dead birds in her
garden.
2
Ò. Aznar-Alemany and E. Eljarrat