Effects of pyrethroid insecticides on pest control operators.

Pyrethroids are neurotoxic by prolonging the opening of the sodium channel (Aldridge 1990). In humans, a variety of reversible symptoms have been reported (He et al. 1988, 1989), including abnormal facial sensations like burning, itching, or tingling sensation, paresthesia, and irritations of the skin, mucosa, and respiratory tract. Non-specific symptoms for pyrethroid exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, and epigastric pain.