Permethrin
Properties| | | General |
|---|
| Name | 3-phenoxybenzyl (1RS)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-
dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (IUPAC}
(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (1RS)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (CAS) |
| SMILES | c3ccccc3Oc(c2)cccc2COC(=O)C1C(C1(C)C)C=C(Cl)Cl |
| Chemical formula | C21H20Cl2O3 |
| Appearance | Colourless crystals |
| Physical |
|---|
| Formula weight | 391.28 amu |
| Melting point | 307 K (34 °C) |
| Boiling point | 473 K (200 °C) |
| Density | 1190 k/m3 |
| Crystal structure | |
| Solubility | Insoluble (5.5 x 10-3 ppm |
| Thermochemistry |
|---|
| Î"fH0gas | kJ/mol |
| Î"fH0liquid | kJ/mol |
| Î"fH0solid | kJ/mol |
| S0gas, 1 bar | J/mol·K |
| S0liquid, 1 bar | J/mol·K |
| S0solid | J/mol·K |
| Safety |
|---|
| Ingestion | Harmless in small quantities |
| Inhalation | Harmful, potentially damaging to lungs |
| Skin | Irritation |
| Eyes | Irritation |
| More info | Hazardous Chemical Database |
| SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used. Disclaimer and references |
|---|
Permethrin is a common chemical, widely used as an
insecticide and
acaricide and as an
insect repellent. It belongs to the family of chemicals called
pyrethroids and functions as a
neurotoxin, affecting
neuron membranes by slowing the access of important
sodium ions.
In agriculture, Permethrin is mainly used on
cotton,
wheat,
maize, and
alfalfa crops, and is also used to kill
parasites on
chickens and other
poultry. Its use is controversial since, as a
broad-spectrum chemical, it kills indiscriminately; as well as the intended pests, it can harm beneficial insects including
honey bees and small mammals such as
mice.
However, permethrin can be used in a targeted manner as well. This is the basis for a method of reducing populations of the
deer tick Ixodes scapularis (
I. dammini). Biodegradable cardboard tubes stuffed with permethrin-treated cotton, are sold under the brand name
Damminix. Mice collect the cotton for lining their nests, and the pesticide on the cotton kills any immature ticks that are feeding on the mice.
[Protecting Property from Tick Infestation: Damminix [1] University of Maryland Medical Center]Permethrin is also used in healthcare, to eradicate parasites such as
head lice and
scabies, and in industrial and domestic settings to control pests such as
ants and
termites.
Permethrin kills ticks on contact with treated clothing. According to the
Connecticut Department of Public Health, it "has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin and is rapidly inactivated by the body. Skin reactions have been uncommon"[
2].
Permethrin is used in tropical areas to prevent
mosquito-borne disease such as
Dengue fever and
malaria. Mosquito nets used to cover beds may be treated with a solution of permethrin. Military personnel training in malaria-endemic areas may be instructed to treat their uniforms with permetherin as well. An application should last several washes.
