Chapter 36 – Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids

Chlorinated hydrocarbons have lesser mammalian toxicity compared to organophosphate or carbamate insecticides; however, the former are not readily degradable under environmental conditions. As the usage of many chlorinated hydrocarbons has diminished in many parts of the world, synthetic pyrethroids have often served as replacements and are becoming the first choice for use as insecticides both in the house and in agriculture, as well as in medicine. Pyrethroids are broad-spectrum insecticides with low mammalian toxicity and a rapid rate of degradation. Both chlorinated hydrocarbon and pyrethroid insecticides can produce a variety of reproductive and developmental toxicity. The intent of this chapter is to describe the reproductive and developmental toxicity of chlorinated hydrocarbon and pyrethrin/pyrethroid insecticides. Furthermore, this chapter explores the possible interaction of these insecticides with the endocrine system and provides an overview on toxicokinetics, mechanisms of toxicity, risk assessment, and biomarkers for potential reproductive effects that might be associated with exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons and pyrethroids.