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Hexaflumuron Hexaflumuron
(hexaflumeron) is an insect growth regulator that interferes with insects'
chitin synthesis. It was registered in 1994 — the first active ingredient
to be registered as a "reduced risk pesticide" through the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) reduced risk program, which
waives tests for new pesticides that are thought to pose fewer hazards
than existing pesticides. It is registered for use on termites, and is
the active ingredient in the Sentricon™ bait system. It functions by inhibiting
the synthesis of chitin, the material that makes up the exoskeleton of
insects (Cox, 1997). ToxicityHexaflumuron
has a low toxicity to rats when ingested, with a LD50 >5000mg/kg
for male and female rats. Based in its low LD50 in laboratory
animals, it is assumed to be of low toxicity to humans. It is a mild skin
and eye irritant, and is not expected to cause carcinogenic, mutagenic,
or teratogenic effects (NPTN, Hexaflumeron, 2000). In chronic feeding
studies, hexaflumuron increased the incidence and severity of liver cell
abnormality. Because it was registered as a reduced-risk pesticide, many
of the standard tests are lacking for hexaflumuron, including subchronic
toxicity testing, delayed neurotoxicity testing, and tests for developmental
or reproductive effects (Cox, 1997). Environmental FateStudies
have found the half-life of hexaflumuron to range from 40-160 days. It
has low mobility in soil, binding strongly to soil particles, and is not
highly soluble in water. If used according to the manufacturer's specifications,
it is not likely to contaminate surface or groundwater(NPTN, Hexaflumuron,
2000). Ecological EffectsIt
is highly toxic to aquatic animals and should not be used in areas where
it could be washed out of the bait station into water at or near the ground
surface (MSDS, Recruit II). Hexaflumuron may cause long-term effects in
the aquatic environment, and will lead to bioaccumulation of the chemical
in fish. It has a very low toxicity to birds (ILO, ISCS: 1266, 1995). Resources: Cox,
C. 1997. "Subterranean Termites, Part 2." Journal of Pesticide
Reform 17(2):21. International
Labour Organization (ILO). 1995. International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC):
1266. October. International Occupational Safety and Health Information
Centre. Geneva, Switzerland.
Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Recruit II Termite Bait. Dow AgroSciences. Indianapolis,
IN. National Pesticide Telecommunication Network. 2000. Hexaflumuron Technical Fact Sheet. July 18.Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR. |
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BEYOND PESTICIDES |
