by Stacy F.

Created on: May 15, 2008

Malathion (C10H19O6PS2) is a popular organophosphate insecticide used for many insecticidal reasons, including the control of the mosquito population. Malathion attacks the nervous system in mosquitoes, leaving them helpless, and ultimately causing their death. Although this is the desired end effect, the problem is that this chemical has the potential to do the same or worse damage in humans and animals if the misuse of Malathion or an impure form of Malathion is fogged or sprayed in mega doses.

According to By Thomas Wills of The Merchant Herald, in Paonia, Colorado, The city had started an annexation process for those who own property and wish not to have Malathion sprayed in their vicinity (Wills, 2006). Several property owners used this process to halt spraying on their properties. One source known by the name of Hotchkiss, which is a name for a town who works closely with Paonia, Colorado reminded those in Paonia of the horrible effects Malathion had on New York City in 1999. Heavy spraying of Malathion occurred in New York City to control mosquitoes during a West Nile Virus scare. Hotchkiss quoted directly from the New York City Chem-bio Handbook, it states that, "Exposure to Malathion can cause: Headache, nausea, vomiting, cramps, weakness, blurred vision, pin-point pupils, tightness in chest, labored breathing, nervousness, sweating, watering eyes, drooling or frothing of the mouth and nose, muscle spasms and coma. Other acute effects can include mental confusion, frequent urination, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and seizures. Chronic effects of Malathion exposure include delayed neurological effects including pain, numbness, and weakness in the extremities, which may persist for months or years." "...Central nervous system damage includes memory, mood, and motor coordination" (2006).Other historical facts support the evidence that Malathion is a potential health threat. In Pakistan in 1976, Isomalathion, an impurity in the Malathion caused five spray men in Pakistan to die after spraying the chemical and being exposed. 2,800 of the spray men were poisoned, but lived (nospray.org, Archives in toxicology, 1979).

Dose-Response Assessment

The research shows that Malathion is not toxic in itself, unless it is absorbed into the body of humans or animals can cause several cellular mutations, especially in the cells of the lymph systems and white blood cells. Individuals tolerate different levels of Malathion. In other words, what may be non-toxic to one may be

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