What type of insecticide is used on the nets?
The insecticide used is made of a synthetic pyrethroid called Premethrin, which is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), for treatment of insecticide treated nets. This insecticide has an excellent safety profile. Unlike early insecticides such as DDT, pyrethroids are derived from a naturally occurring substance, pyrethrum, which is found in chrysanthemums. It’s toxicity to mammals is very low, it is poorly absorbed through the skin, and it is rapidly inactivated by the body. Once dried on fabric, it is bound tightly to the fibres; the probability of its leaching into the environment and the potential for absorption through the skin is negligible.
