[pct-l] REPELLING MOSQUITOES AND TICKS

[Scott]

 From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin

Permethrin acts as a neurotoxin, .... showing more acute effects on 
cold-blooded animals (insects, fish, frogs...) over warm-blooded animals 
(mammals and birds):

Permethrin is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic life in general, so 
extreme care must be taken when using products containing permethrin 
near water sources.

Permethrin is also highly toxic to cats, and flea and tick-repellent 
formulas intended and labeled for (the more resistant) dogs may contain 
permethrin and cause feline permethrin toxicosis in cats.

Very high doses will have tangible neurotoxic effects on mammals and 
birds, including human beings.

Permethrin is listed as a "restricted use" substance by the United 
States Environmental Protection Agency due to its high toxicity to 
aquatic organisms.

Due to high toxicity for aquatic life, permethrin and 
permethrin-contaminated water should be properly disposed of. 
Degradation is quick and should the chemical be disposed of far from any 
aquatic life, the negative effects would be minimized. In a 
non-industrial context, the contaminant may be placed in direct sunlight 
to induce photodegradation. Contaminated water exposed to direct 
sunlight will be cleared of the permethrin and any known pollutant 
subproducts after a few hours.

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, permethrin 
"has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin and is 
rapidly inactivated by the body. Skin reactions have been uncommon."

Excessive exposure to permethrin can cause nausea, headache, muscle 
weakness, excessive salivation, shortness of breath, and seizures. 
Worker exposure to the chemical can be monitored by measurement of the 
urinary metabolites, while severe overdosage may be confirmed by 
measurement of permethrin in serum or blood plasma.

-- 
www.postholer.com