AbstractApproximately 350 people, the inhabitants of two villages in the Fayum district of Egypt, were individually dusted with 50 g of powder containing 2.5 or 5.0 g permethrin kg−1. The inhabitants of a third village were left untreated as a control. Before treatment, approximately two‐thirds of the population of all three villages were infested with bodylice. Fourteen days after treatment, the permethrin dust at the lower strength reduced the infestation by 98.8% and at the higher strength by 100%. The dust containing 5 g permethrin kg−1maintained a high level of residual control (80.5%) for at least 91 days. The other gave a lower level of control at this time. Urine samples, taken from subjects in each of the treated villages before and after dusting, were analysed for permethrin metabolites. Results indicated that the maximum amount of permethrin absorbed, orally, through the skin, or by inhalation, was 39 μg kg−1body weight, 24 h after treatment. No residue was found 30 days and 60 days after treatment. It was concluded that there was a very substantial safety margin when permethrin dusts were used on man for bodylice
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