Editing Pyrethroid (section)

{{Short description|Class of insecticides}}
[[File:Allethrin 2D.svg|300px|thumb|Chemical structure of [[Allethrin]] isomers]]
[[File:Permethrin-2D-skeletal.png|300px|thumb|Chemical structure of [[Permethrin]] isomers]]

A '''pyrethroid''' is an [[organic compound]] similar to the natural [[pyrethrin]]s, which are produced by the flowers of [[pyrethrum]]s (''[[Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium]]'' and ''[[Chrysanthemum coccineum|C. coccineum]]''). Pyrethroids are used as commercial and household [[insecticides]].<ref name="Ullmann" />

In household concentrations pyrethroids are generally harmless to humans.<ref name=Ullmann>{{Ullmann |doi=10.1002/14356007.a14_263 |chapter=Insect Control |year=2000 |last1=Metcalf |first1=Robert L |isbn=3527306730 }}</ref>  However, pyrethroids are toxic to insects such as [[bee]]s, [[dragonflies]], [[mayflies]], [[Horse-fly|gadflies]], and some other [[invertebrates]], including those that constitute the base of aquatic and terrestrial [[food webs]].<ref name=dc>{{cite news |url=http://archive.dailycal.org/article/108103/study_links_pesticides_to_river_contamination|title=Study Links Pesticides to River Contamination |last=Zaveri |first=Mihir |date=February 4, 2010|work=The Daily Californian|publisher=The [[Daily Californian]]|access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref> Pyrethroids are toxic to [[aquatic organism]]s, especially fish.<ref name=idph>[http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/pyrethroid.htm Pyrethroids fact sheet] from the Illinois Department of Public Health.</ref> They have been shown to be an effective control measure for malaria outbreaks, through indoor applications.<ref name=VHEMBE>{{cite Q|Q52880664}}</ref>