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Allethrin (Ref: FMC 249)
(Also known as: palléthrine; S-bioallethrin; toluen-disocianato; esdepallethrine; d-allethrolone chrysanthemumate)
SUMMARY
Allethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide mostly used in amenity and domestic situations. It has a low aqueous solubility, is volatile and, based on its chemical properties, would not be expected to leach to groundwater. It tends to be moderately persistent in most soil systems. Allethrin is moderately toxic to mammals and a recognised irrirtant. Whilst it is not highly toxic to birds it is moderately toxic to fish, honey bees and earthworms.
Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate Ecotoxicity Human health
Environmental fate
High alert:
Potential for particle bound transport: High
Warning:
Significant data are missing
Ecotoxicity
High alert:
Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High
Human health
Moderate alert:
Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Possible Carcinogen; Possible Endocrine distrupter
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
An insecticide used almost exclusively in domestic situation for the control of mainly flying insect pests
Example pests controlled
Mosquitoes; Domestic flies; Wasps; Ants
Example applications
Domestic situations
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
1949, first introduced; circa 1954, Japan
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Expired
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status
Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
Yes
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States
ATAustria
BEBelgium
BGBulgaria
CYCyprus
CZCzech Republic
DEGermany
DKDenmark
EEEstonia
ELGreece
                 
ESSpain
FIFinland
FRFrance
HRCroatia
HUHungary
IEIreland
ITItaly
LTLithuania
LULuxembourg
                 
LVLatvia
MTMalta
NLNetherlands
PLPoland
PTPortugal
RORomania
SESweden
SISlovenia
SKSlovakia
                 
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries
ISIceland
NONorway
                 
Additional information
Also used in
Australia, USA
Chemical structure
Isomerism
A chiral molecule. Allethrin is a isomeric mixture of 8 stereoisomers.
Chemical formula
C₁₉H₂₆O₃
Canonical SMILES
CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C)CC=C
Isomeric SMILES
-
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
ZCVAOQKBXKSDMS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C19H26O3/c1-7-8-13-12(4)16(10-15(13)20)22-18(21)17-14(9-11(2)3)19(17,5)6/h7,9,14,16-17H,1,8,10H2,2-6H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Pesticide type
Insecticide, Veterinary substance
Substance groups
Pyrethroid insecticide
Minimum active substance purity
93%
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Stomach and respiratory action, non-systemic, paralyses insects before killing them.
CAS RN
584-79-2
EC number
209-542-4
CIPAC number
267
US EPA chemical code
004001/004003
PubChem CID
11442
CLP index number
006-025-00-3
Molecular mass
302.41
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
(1E)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-(prop-2-en-1-yl)cyclopent-2-en-1-yl (1?,3?)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate
IUPAC name
(RS)-3-allyl-2-methyl-4-oxocyclopent-2-enyl (1RS)-cis-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate
CAS name
2-methyl-4-oxo-3-(2-propenyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-yl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-1-propenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate
Other status information
-
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
3A
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
Blattella germanica
Physical state
Viscous amber liquid
Related substances & organisms
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Farnham Co
  • American Cyanamid Co.
  • Sumitomo
  • Fairfield
Example products using this active
  • Alleviate
  • Pyresin
  • Pynamin
  • Exthrin
  • A-Pb Food Plant And Grain Mill Fogging Spray
Formulation and application details
Usually supplied as an emulsifiable concentrate
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
0.0001
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
Miscible
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
Acetone		 -
Miscible
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
Ethanol		 -
655000
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
Hexane		 -
Melting point (°C)
- - -
Boiling point (°C)
281.5
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
87
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
9.12 X 1004 Calculated -
Log P
4.96
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
 High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.01
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
- - -
-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
0.78
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
at 25°C		 Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
6.20 X 10-07
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-volatile
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
- - -
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
- - -
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
General biodegradability
-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
60
DW4 DW = Don Wauchope personal database for Pka data: Wauchope, R. D. and Edwards, J. Dissociation constants for pesticide active ingredients: a database and comparison with predicted values. Dataset is no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
- - -
Note
-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix
Value
- - -
Note
-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix
Value
- - -
Note
-
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
-
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Note
Decomposes rapidly in UV light
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
-
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Note
Hydrolysis occurs only under alkaline conditions
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd
-
DW3 DW = Don Wauchope personal database for Pka data: Wauchope, R. D. and Edwards, J. Dissociation constants for pesticide active ingredients: a database and comparison with predicted values. Dataset is no longer available.
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Slightly mobile
Koc
1400
Notes and range
Other sources: 9500 mL g⁻¹ (CB2)
Freundlich
Kf
- - -
Kfoc
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
1.52 Calculated Low leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
4.11 X 10-02 Calculated -
Note
-
Potential for particle bound transport index
High Calculated -
Potential for loss via drain flow
Slightly mobile Calculated -
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
200
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Threshold for concern
CT₅₀ (days)
Not available -
Known metabolites

None
ECOTOXICOLOGY
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
685
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
(ppm diet)
- -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 2030
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
Colinus virginianus		 Low
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 1000
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Unknown species		 Low
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Non-target plants
- - -
- - -
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
> 3.4
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
 Moderate
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic
- - -
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Other bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
- - -
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 19
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Oncorhynchus mykiss		 Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 0.021
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Daphnia magna		 High
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
General
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)
Intermediate (class II) - -
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
685
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
2660
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rabbit		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 3.88
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
- - -
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
Dermal penetration studies (%)
- - -
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
- - -
Exposure Routes
Public
Low risk to Europeans as no longer approved for use
Occupational
Exposure may occur via skin contact or inhalation - PPE/PPC advised
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database 
Great Britain
GB MRL Register 
Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
- - -
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
- - -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
?Possibly, status not identified
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E2 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
2 = Mixed/ambiguous results
?Possibly, status not identified
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
No data found
XNo, known not to cause a problem
 No data found
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found  
General human health issues
Moderately toxic
Potential mutagen
Kidney and liver toxicant
Inhalation may cause asthma, coughing, wheezing, running nose and eyes
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Incompatible with alkalis
Sensitive to light
CLP classification 2013
Health: H302, H332
Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification
II (Moderately hazardous)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging
-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
allethrin
French
allethrine
German
Allethrin
Danish
d-trans-allethrin
Italian
alletrina
Spanish
aletrina
Greek
allethrin bioallethrin
Polish
aletryna
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
allethrin
Norwegian
-
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