Cutaneous effects from occupational exposure to fenvalerate

The purpose of this study was to determine, through a field survey, the prevalence of cutaneous response to the synthetic pyrethroid fenvalerate; to characterize the cutaneous reaction; and to identify the setting in which it occurs. The methodology involved case studies of selected individuals who had worked extensively with fenvalerate in the delta region of Mississippi and Alabama. All the agricultural workers interviewed and examined had, on some occasion, noted a paresthesia which they associated with exposure to this pyrethroid insecticide. The cutaneous sensation described was a stinging or burning which progressed to numbness in approximately one-third of the exposed workers. The sensation typically began a number of hours after contact, peaked in the evening, and rarely was present the following morning. The intensity of the sensation varied according to the type and extent of exposure. Clinical signs of inflammation such as edema or vesiculation were not apparent. Erythema was present in a limited number of individuals but was not distinguishable from sunburn. Several environmental factors were found to affect the cutaneous sensation associated with fenvalerate exposure.