Interaction of synthetic pyrethroids with micro-organisms: a review.

Pyrethroids are widely used insecticides in agriculture and public health. They are photostable with high insecticidal activity and low toxicity to birds and mammals. At lower concentrations, they are less toxic, but have significant effects on micro-organisms at high concentrations. Pyrethroids constitute about 25% of the total pesticides used in the world and due to the restricted use of organochlorine insecticides, the application of pyrethroids is expected to increase. The present review deals with the interaction of pyrethroids with micro-organisms.