Pyrethrins

What are Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids?

Pyrethrins are naturally-occurring compounds with insecticidal properties that are found in pyrethrum extract from certain chrysanthemum flowers. The pyrethrins are often used in household insecticides and products to control insects on pets or livestock.

Pyrethroids are manufactured chemicals that are very similar in structure to the pyrethrins, but are often more toxic to insects as well as to mammals, and last longer in the environment than the pyrethrins. More than 1,000 synthetic pyrethroids have been developed, but less than a dozen of them are currently used in the United States. Permethrin is the most frequently used pyrethroid in the United States.

Related Resources for Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids

• National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
  Provides an ongoing assessment of the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals using biomonitoring.
  
• Results by Chemical Group
• Fact Sheet [PDF, 29 MB]
  
  
• Public Health Statement
  Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One of its respective ATSDR Toxicological Profile.
  
• ToxFAQ
  Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions about a contaminant and its health effects.
  
• Toxicological Profile
  Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.