Analysis of cytogenetic damage induced in cultured human lymphocytes by the pyrethroid insecticides cypermethrin and fenvalerate

Two pyrethroid insecticides, cypermethrin and fenvalerate, weretested for their ability to induce chromosome structural aberrationsand sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human peripheralblood lymphocytes. Fenvalerate, but not cypermethrin, increasedthe frequencies of chromosome-type aberrations and sister chromatidexchanges. In addition, both pyrethroids affected the cell cyclecausing a decrease in the proliferative rate index at concentrations> 10 µg/ml. ¹To whom correspondence should be addressed