UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

MAY II 20U

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Permethrin (109701)

FROM: David Brassard, Senior Entomologist ~~ Biological Analysis Branch

Sepehr Haddad, Environmental Protection SpecialistIt/?./ I", , · Science Information and Analysis Branch 1"1 " j/~"'-{

Derek Berwald, Economist {of Q VA('

Economic Analysis Branch '\.j v 0

Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P)

THRU:

TO:

Arnet Jones, Chief

Biological Analysis Branch

Diann Sims, Chief

Science Information and Analysis Branch

Economic

Timothy Kiely,

Analysis

Chief

Branch

lli ~~ Biological and Economic Anal' is Divisio " 03P)

Kaitlin Keller, Chemical Review Manager

Risk Management and Implementation Branch 3

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P)

Product Review Panel Review Date 12-8-10

Summary

The purpose ofthis BEAD Chemical Profile is to convey usage information and a broad

overview ofthe pest management roles ofpesticides that are beginning registration review. The

intended audience for this document is the OPP registration review team and the general public.

Permethrin is a broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used against a wide variety of

insect, mite , and tick pests. Permethrin is registered for use on/in numerous agricultural crops,

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forest trees, ornamentals, livestock, pets, wood structures, commercial and residential buildings,

wide area mosquito adulticide use, and clothing. Between 1998 and 2008, the usage of

permethrin averaged approximately 400,000 pounds active ingredient (A.I.) applied to 3 million

acres of agricultural crops. Approximately 2.5 million pounds ofpermethrin A.I. is applied

annually by consumers, pest control professionals, nursery/greenhouse operators, and mosquito

abatement personnel.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose ofthis document is to convey usage information and a broad overview ofthe pest

management roles of pesticides that are beginning registration review. The intended audience for

this document is the OPP registration review team and the general public. This document builds

upon the data already provided in the "Usage and Label Use Data Packages" that are also

provided to Registration Review teams by the Biological and Economic Analysis Division

(BEAD).

Permethrin is a broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used against a wide variety of

insect, mite, and tick pests. Permethrin was first registered in the United States in 1979. Similar

to other pyrethroids, permethrin alters nerve function by modifying the normal biochemistry and

physiology ofnerve membrane sodium channels.

USE SITES

Agricultural Crop and Livestock Use Sites

Permethrin is registered for use on/in numerous agricultural crops including fruit, nut, vegetable,

fiber and cereal crops. Permethrin is also registered for use on livestock and poultry and on their

premises (i.e, living quarters and associated outdoor areas)

Non-Agricultural Use Sites

Permethrin is also registered for use on forest trees, lawns and turf, ornamental flowers, shrubs,

and trees, transportation vehicles, structural wood termiticide treatment, buildings (including

food handling establishments), wide area mosquito adulticide use, and numerous residential use

sites including use in outdoor and indoor spaces, pets, and clothing. .

Permethrin also has non-FIFRA pharmaceutical uses as a pediculicide for the treatment ofhead

lice and scabies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use ofthe pesticidecontaining pharmaceutical under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS

Permethrin is formulated as Emulsifiable Concentrate, Liquid, Wettable Powder, Liquid-Ready

to Use, Granules, Dust, Pressurized Gas, Pressurized Liquid, and Water Dispersable Granule

(dry flowable, DF). Application methods include direct spray, surface treatment, soil broadcast,

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spot treatment, chemigation, soil injection, etc. Application equipment includes mist sprayer,

fogger, aircraft, truck-mounted sprayer, sprinkler irrigation, airblast and duster, etc

PERMETHRIN USAGE

Agricultural Usage

Based on private market pesticide usage data from 1998-2008, usage of permethrin averaged

approximately 400,000 pounds active ingredient applied to 3 million acres (proprietary Data,

1998-2008). Figure 1 presents the acres treated with permethrin over this time period.

FIGURE 1. Permethrin Acres Treated 1998-2008

Permethrin Acres Treated

Acres

o

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Year

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2008

Figure 2 presents the pounds a.i. used from 1998-2000 on com, lettuce, sweet com, potatoes,

peaches, and pistachios, compared to use on the same crops from 2006-2008. (proprietary Data,

1998-2008). The "other".category of crops shown in Figure 2 include alfalfa, almonds, spinach,

celery, soybeans, tomatoes, cotton, onions, cucumbers, watermelons, etc. Use on com, sweet

com and peaches decreased between those periods, while use on pistachios and potatoes

increased.

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FIGURE 2. Comparison ofPermethrin Usage in Pounds A.I. Between 1998-2000 and

2006-2008 Timeframes

Permethrln Pounds AI Used (1998-2000)

Potatoes

5%

Permethrln Pounds AI Used (2006-2008)

SweetCorn

3%

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2008

Figure 3 compares the states with the highest use in pounds a.i. between the 1998-2000, and the

2006-2008 timeframes. In 1998-2000, the state with the highest use was California (24%),

followed by Illinois (9%), Missouri (8%), Wisconsin (7%), and Minnesota, Arizona, Nebraska,

Iowa and Kentucky with less than 5% ofuse. In the 2006-2008 timeframe, the state with the

highest use was also California (49%), followed by North Dakota, Illinois, Arizona and Ohio all

at 4%, and Washington, Texas, Florida all at 3% (proprietary Data, 1998-2008). The widespread

use of permethrin on almonds, lettuce, and pistachios contributed to the large proportion of

permethrin use in California.

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FIGURE 3. Comparison of States with Highest Use of Permethrin in Pounds A.I. Between

1998-2000 and 2006-2008 Timeframes

1998-2000

KENTUCKY

3% IOWA

4%

ARIZONA

4'\ NEBRASKA MINNESOTA

5% 5%

2006-2008

MISSOURI

2%

MICHIGAN

2%

FLORIDA

3%

TEXAS

3%

WASHINGTON

3% OHIO

4%

ARIZONA

4%

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2008

Non-Agricultural Usage

In terms ofnon-agricultural usage, data are available to address usage by lawn care operators and

pest control operators, and for uses such as mosquito abatement, golf courses, nursery/

greenhouse, and food handling establishments, in addition to consumers for outdoor use.

Generally, over the reported years (1999 through 2008), the majority of use was by consumers

for outdoor use . Consumers used 1.6 million pounds A.I. in 2000, approximately 2.5 million

pounds A.I. in 2003, and 1.75 million pounds A.I. in 2005 for outdoor use. Pest control

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operators used approximately 580,000 pounds A.I. in 2000 and 450,000 pounds A.I .in 2003.

Use for mosquito abatement included approximately 34,000 pounds A.I. in 2000, increasing to

100,000 pounds A.I. in both 2003 and 2005. Nursery/Greenhouse use in 2002 was

approximately 25,000 pounds A.I.with use decreasing in 2004 to approximately 14,000 pounds

A.I. and in 2006 to 12,000 pounds A.I. (Kline and Co., Inc., 2000-2005).

USE TRENDS

As shown in Figure 4, permethrin use peaked in the year 2000 for corn, while use on pistachios

has increased from 2002 onwards. Use on com and sweet com has decreased from 2000 through

2008.

FIGURE 4. Permethrin Usage on Top Crops

400,000 -r-----'P...... ermethrin Usage on..Pistachios, SWf!etCOrn, Lettuce and Corn (1998-2008)

o

I

1-.----.-

Pistachios

SweetCorn

I'. Lettuce

I I Corn

199819992000 2oo120022~20042oo5 200620072008

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2008

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO PERMETHRIN

The increase in the use of permethrin by consumers since 2000 corresponds to the loss ofmany

organophosphate and carbamate insecticides formerly registered for use in and around the home.

Permethrin is the most widely used mosquito adulticide in the United States. Permethrin is the

only pesticide registered to pre-treat clothing and fabrics to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other

public health pests (U.S. EPA, 2006).

Permethrin is also the only pesticide registered for use in conjunction with "4 Poster" deer

treatment bait stations used for area wide control ofticks which vector Lyme disease. The '4-

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Poster' basically consists oftwo application/feeding stations located at either end ofthe device.

As deer feed on the bait (usually whole kernel corn), the design ofthe device forces them to rub

against permethrin-impregnated applicator rollers (ALDF, 2010).

mSTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR PERMETHRIN

There is no record ofBEAD having done a benefit analysis for pennethrin, although it does

appear in many documents as a possible alternative for other insecticides, such as carbofuran,

phosmet and azinphos-methyl. In 2002 there was a Section 18 crisis exemption for use of

pennethrin against flea beetles on turnip greens in Colorado. Later BEAD analysis concluded

that the situation was urgent and non-routine and that losses ofup to 100% could have been

expected without pennethrin (Chiri and Halvorsen, 2002).

In 2006, BEAD provided qualitative information about the role of pennethrin for selected crops,

based on the amount ofthe crop treated with permethrin and the availability of alternatives.

Crops with low likelihood for worker exposure were not evaluated. BEADs findings included

relatively high importance of permethrin for artichoke, Brussels sprouts, and pistachio and some

ornamentals, especially cut cultivated greens. For other crops, alternative pyrethroid insecticides

(i.e., bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate,

fenpropathrin, flucythrinate, fluvalinate, prallethrin, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tralomethrin, and

zeta-cypermethrin) were found to be as effective as permethrin, These would likely be

acceptable alternatives as long as they are registered and used on the crops in question. The

alternative pyrethroids generally control the same pests and have a longer period ofresidual

effectiveness than pennethrin. According to.EPA proprietary data, most ofthe alternative

pyrethroids were only slightly more expensive than pennethrin, usually costing $2.00 more per

acre. Bifenthrin is much more expensive than pennethrin (costs $10 to $40 more per acre) but

also controls aphids and mites and thus may replace pennethrin and another insecticide/acaricide

application (Brassard and Wyatt, 2006).

DATA NEEDS RELEVANT TO BEAD'S FUTURE WORK ON PERMETHRIN

Obtaining additional information on the following items would improve future BEAD

assessments ofthe importance of permethrin and may be required as part ofthe registration

review ofthis pesticide:

Updated usage information on the use ofpennethrin in in non-agricultural areas.

REFERENCES

ALDF. 2010. '4-Poster' Deer Treatment Bait Station. American Lyme Disease Foundation.

http://www.aldf.com/fourPoster2.shtml

Brassard, David and TJ Wyatt. 2006. Qualitative Information about the Role ofPermethrin in

Select Uses to Inform Risk-Benefit Decisions, March 1, 2006.

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Chiri, Angel and Alan Halvorson. 2002 Review ofa Specific Emergency Exemption of

Permethrin in Colorado for Use on Turnip Greens to Flea Beetles. Section 18 Code (02-

CO-020), DP Barcode D284508, August 7, 2002.

EPA. 2006. Permethrin Facts: (Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Fact Sheet). EPA 738-

F-06-012 http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrdl/REDs/factsheets/permethrinfs.htm

GfK Kynetec, 1998-2Q08 Proprietary Data

Kline and Co, Inc. (1999-2008)

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