Bifenthrin
Encyclopedia
Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid
insecticide
that affects the nervous system
of insect
s.
It was discovered and developed by FMC Corporation. Products containing bifenthrin include Talstar, Maxxthor, Capture, Brigade, Bifenthrine, Ortho Home Defense Max, Bifen IT, Bifen L/P, and Scotts LawnPro Step 3.
, since it, like most pyrethroids, is also an ATPase
inhibitor. Aquatic vertebrates are much more sensitive to ATPase inhibitors than terrestrial vertebrates due to their high dependence on ATP synthesis in the gills to maintain osmotic balance.
The EPA has classified bifenthrin as a class C carcinogen, a possible human carcinogen. Based on risk assessments, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general population, and to infants and children from aggregate exposure to bifenthrin residues.
Bifenthrin was included in a biocide ban proposed by the Swedish Chemicals Agency and approved by the European Parliament in 2009. Pesticides containing bifenthrin have been withdrawn from use in the European Union.
area, under a special "crisis exemption" from the Texas Department of Agriculture
and the Environmental Protection Agency
. The chemical is only approved for use in Texas
counties experiencing "confirmed infestations" of the newly-discovered ant species.
Pyrethroid
A pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums . Pyrethroids now constitute a major commercial household insecticides...
insecticide
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
that affects the nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s.
It was discovered and developed by FMC Corporation. Products containing bifenthrin include Talstar, Maxxthor, Capture, Brigade, Bifenthrine, Ortho Home Defense Max, Bifen IT, Bifen L/P, and Scotts LawnPro Step 3.
Chemical properties
Bifenthrin is virtually insoluble in water with a solubility of 0.1 mg/L. Given its low solubility, bifenthrin has high persistence in soil with a half life between 7 days and 8 months. Consequently, it is the longest residual termiticide currently registered on the market.Toxicology and regulation
It is highly toxic to fishFish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, since it, like most pyrethroids, is also an ATPase
ATPase
ATPases are a class of enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of adenosine triphosphate into adenosine diphosphate and a free phosphate ion. This dephosphorylation reaction releases energy, which the enzyme harnesses to drive other chemical reactions that would not otherwise occur...
inhibitor. Aquatic vertebrates are much more sensitive to ATPase inhibitors than terrestrial vertebrates due to their high dependence on ATP synthesis in the gills to maintain osmotic balance.
The EPA has classified bifenthrin as a class C carcinogen, a possible human carcinogen. Based on risk assessments, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general population, and to infants and children from aggregate exposure to bifenthrin residues.
Bifenthrin was included in a biocide ban proposed by the Swedish Chemicals Agency and approved by the European Parliament in 2009. Pesticides containing bifenthrin have been withdrawn from use in the European Union.
Species treated
Bifenthrin has been approved for use against the Rasberry crazy ant in the Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
area, under a special "crisis exemption" from the Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Texas Department of Agriculture is a state agency within the state of Texas, which is responsible for matters pertaining to agriculture, rural community affairs, and related matters.TDA was established by the 13th Texas Legislature in 1907...
and the Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
. The chemical is only approved for use in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
counties experiencing "confirmed infestations" of the newly-discovered ant species.