Inert ingredients in pesticides

Numerous studies demonstrate that inert ingredients enhance the toxici-ties of the active ingredients in pesticide formulationsJ27 Examples of such effects follow. 

Commercial formulations of pyrethrins usually contain piperonyl butox-ide (PO). PO is a well-known synergist that inhibits the metabolic degradation of pyrethrins and thereby intensifies the effects of the active ingredients of pyrethrins J28-29  

Surfactants and solvents are added to commercial pesticides to increase adsorption by targeted species. These chemicals also enhance adsorption through mammalian skin. In a laboratory animal experiment, dermal 

In another dermal penetration study, it was shown that the absorption of the insecticide carbaryl was enhanced by the solvent acetone and the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate. The synergist PO significantly increased the absorption of carbaryl when added to the acetone-carbaryl rnixJ31 This study points out both the enhanced absorption of pesticide by individual inert additives as well as the further enhanced mixture effect. 

Lindane absorption through human skin was studied in vivo and in vitro. Both studies showed that commercially formulated lindane products, which contained white spirits (a lipophile) as a solvent was significantly higher than from acetone (a hydrophile) solution both in vivo and in vitro. [32,33] 

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Inert ingredients, in pesticides, 18 530 Inertinite, 6 706, 707t, 719 Inert materials, as soap bar additives, 22 745... 

Numerous nonplasticizer uses of DEHP have been reported. However, it is not clear to what extent these uses arc, or have ever been, important. These include 1he use of DEHP as a solvent in erasable ink, as an acaracide in orchards, as an inert ingredient in pesticide products, in cosmetics, in vacuum pump oil, as a component of dielectric fluids in electrical capacitors, to detect leaks in respirators, and for use in testing of air filtration systems (HSDB 1990 Mannsville Chemical Products Corporation 1990 NTP 1989). 

In 1987, the US EPA instituted a policy (52 FR 13305, Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Products) to reduce the potential for adverse effects from pesticide products containing toxic inert ingredients. This policy established data requirements for new inert ingredients and categorized inert ingredients into four lists (Table 1). 

D-Limonene is also synthetically produced, including as a by-product in the manufacture of terpineol. It is used in flavors and fragrances, as a solvent (e.g., as a natural replacement for petroleum-based solvents in paints and cleaning products), and for numerous other commercial uses. o-Limonene is also used as an inert ingredient in pesticides, and is used in resin manufacture. 

Inert Ingredients (in Pesticides), Pages 605-606, Andrew M. Geller SummaryPlus Full Text + Links PDF (57 K)... 

Cox C, Surgan M. Unidentified inert ingredients in pesticides Implications for human and environmental health. Environ Health Perspect 2006 114(12) 1803 6. 

Baynes RE, Riviere JE. Influence of inert ingredients in pesticide formulations on dermal absorption of carbaryl. AmJ Vet Res 1998 59(2) 168—75. 

DOWANOL Glycol Ethers Acceptable as Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations40 CFR 180.1001, (d) (e)... 

C. Cox, M. Surgan, Unidentified inert ingredients in pesticides imphcations for human and enviromnental health. Environ. Health Perspect 114 (12) (2006) 1803-1806. 

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