Chemical name: Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-, (2-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl ester, [1.alpha.,3.alpha.(Z)]

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All agricultural applications are prohibited.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

In the Netherlands, bifenthrin is allowed as a biocide under certain restrictions for pest control of crawling insects and flies in storage room and working accomodations using apparatus creating big droplets under low pressure with the restriction that humans, pet animals or unpacked material for the food industry are not present in the room. Based on the occupational risk evaluation it was concluded that the adverse health effect after dermal exposure to bifenthrin can not be excluded. The dermal exposure was assessed to be between 0.5 and 9.6 mg/day. Based on an AOEL (acceptable operator exposure level) of 4.2 mg/day the Risk index varies between 0.1 and 2.3. It is therefore recommended to take protective measures in case bifenthrin is manually sprayed. Considering the use of bifenthrin as a biocide (no application on vegtables or crops), no exposure of the general population is expected. It is however noted that bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid. Since pyrethroids are known to cause negative effects on neurochemical and behacvioural parameters in young mice, bifenthrin should be used in such way that young children can not be exposed to it.

In the Netherlands, bifenthrin is allowed as a biocide under certain restrictions.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

the authorisation for the application of bifenthrin as a pesticide was cancelled.

In 1989 the use was already restricted to glasshouse-cultures with minimised emissions of effluents to the surface water. Use in the open field (orchards) had been forbidden, because of the high emission fractions (from the application areas to the environment) involved.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Human health risks have not been evaluated, because all agricultural applications of bifenthrin were withdrawn. In the Netherlands bifenthrin is only allowed as a biocide under certain restriction. Based on the occupational risk evaluation that adverse health effect after dermal exposure to bifenthrin can not be excluded.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The final regulatory action led to a complete risk reduction for all agricultural applications of bifenthrin.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The Pesticide Authorisation Board (CTB) decided to withdraw all agricultural applications of bifenthrin from 14 August 1999 because the manufacturers did not submit all relevant data on bifenthrin that are needed for an assessment within the "Decree for environmental admittance of pesticides "(Bmb). The "Bmb"is the Dutch Decision concerning the criteria that pesticides should meet in the environment. This decision is part of the Dutch Pesticides Act and it has therefore a legal status.

The following items were missing:

- analytical method in water;

- effect on non-target arthropods;

- effect on nitrification;

- effects on earthworms;

- chronic effects on crustaceans;

- effects on micro-organisms of a sewage tratment plant.

Considering the use of bifenthrin as a biocide (pest control of insects indoor) and assuming legal use according to instructions, no exposure of environmental compartments is to be expected. Under these assumptions, there are no unacceptable risks to the environment.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

The final regulatory action led to a complete risk reduction for all applications of bifenthrin.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 14/08/2001