Global Human Health and Consumer Protection
Human
Health
Family and Public Health
While pyrethroid pesticides were initially developed to support food and fiber farmers protect their crops from insects, their use has greatly increased to combat threats to public health all over the world.
Throughout history, insects and other pests have spread diseases that have killed hundreds of millions of people across the globe. Despite advances in science, insects remain carriers of a wide range of pathogens that have a major impact on global health. Pyrethroids are among the most studied and researched chemicals in commerce. The U.S. EPA and governments around the world have recognized this class of insecticides as a major tool in combating fatal diseases. While there exists a great deal of misinformation on the internet, there is no credible study or legitimate concern by public health regulators that ordinary pyrethroid exposure poses any serious health risks when used according to label instructions.
Treated Bed Nets
Long lasting pyrethroid treated bednets are the most important tool for preventing malaria. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2 billion insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been distributed worldwide since 2005 to prevent malaria. For several decades these nets were treated with only one insecticide class – pyrethroids, which have been enormously effective in saving millions of lives from malarial deaths.
Pyrethroids continue to be integral to ITN protection even as mosquitoes in many areas are becoming resistant to pyrethroids. In 2023, WHO published guidelines for malaria to include a new type of ITN that combines pyrethroids with piperonyl-butoxide (PBO), a chemical that enhances the potency of pyrethroids against resistant mosquitoes.
Malaria-preventing bed nets save children’s lives—with impacts that can last for decades
Repellant-Treated Clothing
The only insect repellent currently used for factory treatment of clothing is permethrin, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has approved permethrin for consumer and military use. It recognizes that this broad spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide is effective in targeting adults and larvae of many species of biting, chewing, scaling, soil, and flying invertebrates. This includes mosquitoes, ticks, spiders and ants. Permethrin is registered by the EPA as an insecticide for use in a variety of settings. When used to pre-treat clothing, it is an insect repellent.
Permethrin has been registered since 1979. It was first registered in 1990 for use as a insect repellent on clothing by the military. At about the same time, the EPA also approved permethrin as a spray for use on clothing and gear used by consumers, as well as for commercial factory treatment of clothing and various types of gear. The first permethrin factory-treated clothing was registered in 2003 for consumer use. More permethrin-treated products have been approved since then.
Ensuring Food Safety
Pyrethroids are one of many tools in an Integrated Pest Management strategy to ensure food safety in a commercial environment. Consumers and public health officials expect and demand that cafeterias, food trucks, food processing plants and restaurants be free of pests.
Pests such as cockroaches and flies are naturally drawn to food sources. If they are allowed to thrive, food can be contaminated with a range of diseases, including e. coli. Not only is restaurant pest control is essential for protecting food safety, but an establishment’s reputation and ability to operate depends on proper pest control.
According to industry magazine QSR, “20 percent of a restaurant’s health inspection score is based on the pest control portion,” which means eateries have lots of incentives to implement effective restaurant pest control procedures
