Bifenthrin chemical review

Completed

Bifenthrin is an agricultural insecticide used for the control of borers and termites in timber, insect pests in agricultural crops (bananas, apples, pears, ornamentals) and turf, as well as for general pest control (spiders, ants, fleas, flies, mosquitoes).

Work plan

Work plan

Click on the tabs for more information about the status of each phase in the review process. For more information about how each phase is conducted, please read about the reconsideration process.

Chemicals

  • Bifenthrin
1. Nomination

1. Nomination

Phase status

Completed

Although bifenthrin is contained in more than 100 registered products, the action taken by the APVMA in early 2008 related only to those products containing bifenthrin at 80 g/L or 100 g/L for which a 500 mL pack size had been approved (seven products).

The concerns were that:

  • such small pack sizes could find their way into the home garden market where they are available for use by householders (who are likely to find this pack size convenient for pest control)
  • the toxicity of these products does not conform with the criteria outlined in the APVMA’s Manual of requirements and guidelines for pesticides intended for domestic use (Section 3.6 of Part 3, Toxicology)—the oral toxicities of the 500 mL products are generally around 500 mg/kg bw, well below the acceptable level of 1500 mg/kg bw for home garden products
  • the use of such products would require the use of extensive personal protective equipment not readily available to householders
  • some products contained a label claim for ‘post construction barrier treatments for the protection of existing buildings,’ but a 500 mL pack is too small to treat and protect a typically sized building.

Therefore, the concerns were about the product’s safety and effectiveness. Consequently, it was apparent that the packs do not comply with s.14(3)(e)(ii) of the Agvet Code.

2. Prioritisation

2. Prioritisation

Phase status

Completed
3. Scoping and work plan

3. Scoping and work plan

Phase status

Completed
4. Notice of reconsideration

4. Notice of reconsideration

Phase status

Completed
5. Assessment

5. Assessment

Phase status

Completed
6. Proposed regulatory decision

6. Proposed regulatory decision

Phase status

Completed
7. Consultation

7. Consultation

Phase status

Completed
8. Final regulatory decision

8. Final regulatory decision

Phase status

Completed

The APVMA advised registrants that it could no longer be satisfied that the continued use of bifenthrin products (80 g/L or 100 g/L) in a 500 mL pack size would not be an undue hazard to the safety of users.

9. Implementation

9. Implementation

Phase status

Completed

Registrants voluntarily varied their product registration details, removing these pack sizes from their product ranges.

Given the above concerns, the APVMA will not allow the future registration of products at this concentration or pack size.

Affected products (containing 80 g/L or 100 g/L bifenthrin in 500 mL pack sizes):

  • Talstar 80 SC Insecticide/Miticide (45703)
  • Scotts Procide 80SC Insecticide/Miticide (55020)
  • Mabons M.A.S.T.—-Killa Termiticide and Insecticide (56991)
  • Rentokil Termite and Spider Treatment (58210)
  • Cropro Zeus Termiticide and Insecticide (58368)
  • Superway Bifenthrin Termite and Pest Controller (58803)
  • Chemag Bifen 80SC Insecticide/Miticide (59592)
Publication archive
Was this page helpful?

Your feedback will be submitted to the APVMA anonymously. If you require a response, please contact us.

CAPTCHA