Summary and evaluation, conclusions and recommendations in French and Spanish.

Evaluates risks to human health and the environment posed by the use of alpha-cypermethrin, a potent and versatile pyrethroid insecticide used against a wide range of pests encountered in agriculture. Main agricultural applications include the protection of oilseeds, pome fruits, peaches, fruiting vegetables, berries, leafy vegetables, maize, hops, and tobacco. Marketed since late 1983, alpha-cypermethrin is also used against disease-carrying insects and in the control of parasites of veterinary importance. In view of the uses of this pesticide, an evaluation of sources of human exposure draws upon crop residue data obtained from a large number of supervised trials conducted throughout the world. The report concludes that exposure of the general population is negligible when the pesticide is used in keeping with good agricultural practice. Toxicity studies conducted in laboratory mammals and in vitro test systems indicate that alpha-cypermethrin has a moderate to high acute oral toxicity and is 34 times more toxic than cypermethrin. Short-term exposures have not been shown to cause toxic effects. Several studies provide evidence that alpha-cyper-methrin is non-mutagenic. No data on long-term toxicity, teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, or immunotoxicity were available for evaluation. The report concludes that, when good work practices, hygiene measures, and safety precautions are followed, use of alpha-cypermethrin is unlikely to pose a hazard to occupationally exposed workers. Though laboratory studies have documented high toxicity for fish, studies show that this toxicity is not realized under field conditions, where the rapid loss of alpha-cypermethrin from water facilitates the complete recovery of affected populations.

eng.

WHODOC

WHO monograph

4