Baby Safety / Compounds / Pyrethrins

Is Pyrethrins safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Pyrethrins due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

What is pyrethrins?

The IUPAC name is cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate;cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-3-[(E)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate.

Also known as: cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate;cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-3-[(E)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate, Pyrethroid, Pyrethres, Mosquitoes Prevent.

IUPAC name
cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate;cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2Z)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-3-[(E)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate
CAS number
8003-34-7
Molecular formula
C43H56O8
Molecular weight
700.9 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C)CC=CC=C.CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C(=O)OC)CC=CC=C
PubChem CID
60202781

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Pyrethrins due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Prenatal exposure to Pyrethrins is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. Organophosphate/carbamate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which plays a role in fetal brain development.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Pyrethrins.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity but Not Sufficient to Assess Human Carcinogenic Potential

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter pyrethrins

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Pyrethrins:

  • Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
    Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is pyrethrins safe for kids?

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Pyrethrins due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

What products contain pyrethrins?

Pyrethrins appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to pyrethrins?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Pyrethrins in the baby app

Look up products containing pyrethrins, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED): Pyrethrins — sodium channel mechanism; mammalian safety rationale; organic agriculture approval; agricultural worker exposure; food tolerances; photodegradation (2006) (2006) — regulatory
  2. NIOSH Pocket Guide: Pyrethrins — dermal irritation; contact sensitization; PBO synergist; agricultural occupational exposure; PPE requirements; skin absorption estimate (2019) (2019) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →