Document d’information : les pyréthrinoïdes, utilisés à la maison, mais non sans dangers

This fact sheet from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment details the risks associated with pyrethroids, synthetic insecticides used widely in domestic, veterinary, and agricultural settings. It examines their neurotoxic mode of action, pathways of human exposure—particularly for children—and their potential impacts on neurodevelopment, fertility, and the environment.

• Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides designed to be more powerful and persistent than natural pyrethrins. They are widely used globally, representing 17% of the global insecticide market with a value of 7 billion dollars. In Canada, approximately 614 pyrethroid-containing pesticides are registered, while over 3,500 are registered in the United States.
• These insecticides act as neurotoxins by interfering with neuronal signals, specifically by keeping sodium channels open, which leads to repetitive nerve impulses. This can cause symptoms such as tremors, involuntary movements, and salivation in animals. Some commercial formulations include synergists like piperonyl butoxide and MGK-264, which can increase toxicity by inhibiting enzymes that normally degrade pyrethroids in the body.
• Human exposure occurs primarily through the ingestion of contaminated food and water, though dermal absorption and inhalation are also possible, especially for pesticide industry workers, exterminators, and farmers. In Quebec, pyrethroids are detected in surface waters of fruit and vegetable farming areas, and permethrin and piperonyl butoxide have been found in groundwater. Additionally, US studies indicate that dust in most homes contains measurable levels of pyrethroids or their adjuvants.
• Children are at a higher risk of exposure and intoxication due to their lower body weight, higher proportional intake of food and air, and behaviors such as playing on the floor and putting hands in their mouths. Research suggests links between pyrethroid exposure and developmental issues: one New York City study found that higher exposure to piperonyl butoxide was associated with lower mental development scores, and another study linked bifenthrin to autism spectrum disorders.
• Pyrethroids may negatively impact human fertility and pregnancy by disrupting the endocrine system. Observed effects include reductions in sperm count and mobility, DNA damage to sperm, and decreased concentrations of testosterone. They can also interfere with luteinizing hormone and alter thyroid function.
• There are concerns regarding the carcinogenic potential of certain pyrethroids. The US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) considers deltamethrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin to be possibly carcinogenic to humans, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) prioritized the re-evaluation of permethrin's carcinogenicity for 2015-2019.
• Pyrethroids pose significant risks to non-target species. They are toxic or highly toxic to fish, and may contribute to the global decline of bee populations. In aquatic environments, mixtures of pyrethroids and organophosphates can be 140% to 170% more toxic to fish than the sum of their individual toxicities due to the inhibition of detoxification systems.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). Document d’information : les pyréthrinoïdes, utilisés à la maison, mais non sans dangers. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-d%E2%80%99information-%E2%80%93-les-pyre%CC%81thrinoi%CC%88des-utilise%CC%81s-a%CC%80-la-maison-main-non-sans-dangers.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Document d’information : les pyréthrinoïdes, utilisés à la maison, mais non sans dangers. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-d%E2%80%99information-%E2%80%93-les-pyre%CC%81thrinoi%CC%88des-utilise%CC%81s-a%CC%80-la-maison-main-non-sans-dangers.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Document d’information : les pyréthrinoïdes, utilisés à la maison, mais non sans dangers |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-d%E2%80%99information-%E2%80%93-les-pyre%CC%81thrinoi%CC%88des-utilise%CC%81s-a%CC%80-la-maison-main-non-sans-dangers.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentnddocument, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Document d’information : les pyréthrinoïdes, utilisés à la maison, mais non sans dangers}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2.Document-d%E2%80%99information-%E2%80%93-les-pyre%CC%81thrinoi%CC%88des-utilise%CC%81s-a%CC%80-la-maison-main-non-sans-dangers.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }