CAN PYRETHROIDS CONSIDERED AS SAFE - AN E VALUATION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL-DATA

Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides which world-wide increasingly r eplace DDT, Lindane, Organophosphate-pesticides etc. in fields like ag riculture, hygienics, household, wear-and building industry. Being lip ophilic and strongly neurotoxic substances, a considerable health risk has been predicted in regard of pyrethroid applications. On the other hand the published experimental data are often interpreted as proof o f a small, calculable and, therefore, controllable risk. The present p aper attempts to specify the reasons for these contrary judgements wit h regard to the pyrethroid effects. Since the arguments of both sides are based on the same experimental data, first the scientificly unques tioned evidence about effects and stability of the pyrethroids is acqu ired and critically reviewed. The different arguments are in turn disc ussed in details by means of this evidence. It was demonstrated that t he scientific understanding of the pyrethroid effects is incomplete, a s far as that the health risk cannot be considered as calculable. Impa irments of health caused by pyrethroid effects, particularly known fro m scientific investigations carried out in China but also occuring wit h increasing incidence in Germany, can, therefore, not be excluded any more. As practical consequences, moreover, an obligation to complete p ublication of pyrethroid intoxications and an extensive health educati on of the public about the risks associated with pyrethroid applicatio ns are demanded.