Ethan Diedrick's List: Toxins and Symptoms

• How it works:
    Rotenone is a slow-acting poison which interferes  with the electron-transport system in the mitochondria. It acts  as both a contact and stomach poison.

• Application tips:
    Rotenone is rapidly broken down by sunlight so evening spraying  may provide best results. Use of UV-inhibiting adjuvants may  allow for a longer period of control. Rotenone is extremely toxic  to fish. Care must be taken when disposing of any unused spray  material or residue in wash water so that it does not enter bodies  of water.

   
• Effect on human health:
    In the first half of the 20th century, rotenone was considered  a non-toxic alternative to the lead- and arsenic-based pesticides  in common use. Later research showed that it was more toxic than  originally thought. Rotenone may be absorbed by ingestion and  by inhalation. In studies with rabbits, absorption through the  intact skin was low (WHO 1992).
• Absorption in the stomach and intestines  is relatively slow and incomplete, although fats and oils promote  its uptake. The liver breaks down the compound fairly effectively.  Animal studies indicate that possible metabolites are carbon dioxide  and a more water-soluble compound excreted in the urine. Studies  indicated that approximately 20% of the applied oral dose (and  probably most of the absorbed dose) may be eliminated from animal  systems within 24 hours (Extoxnet 1996).
• Chronic toxicity: Growth retardati

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