Piperonyl Butoxide

Synonyms: PBO

CAS Number: 51-03-6

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79
80 89
90 100
77

Sources of exposure:

Personal care
Pesticides

Household insect sprays, pet flea and tick products, lice treatments, agricultural insecticide formulations, treated surfaces

Description:

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is a chemical synergist added to certain insecticide formulations to increase their effectiveness, particularly those containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids. It is used in household pest control products, agricultural insecticides, pet treatments, and some lice treatments. Potential exposure may occur during product application or through contact with treated surfaces.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Irritant

May cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Ecotoxicity

May be toxic to ecosystems and wildlife.

References

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Cheminformatics Modules, Computational Toxicology and Exposure Informatics (CompTox).
  2. US National Library of Medicine. PubChem database.

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Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

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