Malathion: The Ugly Truth Behind Pesticides

Written by: Kelly L. Hunter

Is Malathion, a pesticide used to kill mosquitoes, safe for human exposure and is it safe for our environment? After careful study, I have decided that malathion is not safe for humans or our environment. Malathion is an organophosphate that was first registered for agricultural use in the United States as early as 1956. (Malathion for Mosquito. 2007). There is great debate from opposing sides as to whether or not malathion has short and/or long-term health risks to human beings and to our already sensitive environment. Proponents argue that this pesticide is safe while the opposing side says that it is not safe and in fact, it is quite harmful. Truthfully, the total risk involved with using malathion to rid towns and cities of mosquito infestations is unknown. However, there is enough scientific evidence, in my opinion, to raise questions as to whether or not this substance is safe for use. As I said before, after careful consideration, I do not feel as though malathion is the answer to our problem.
Although malathion could potentially take care of our severe mosquito problem in Genericville, I believe that we will see many significant long term effects to not only human health but to our wildlife and the cycle of life as well. According to Doctors Jerry Reeves, David Driggers, and Vincent Kiley, of the David Grant Medical Center; seven children with bone marrow disorders have been observed over the past 8 years by physicians at Travis Air Force Base Medical Center in California. The physicians believe the blood disorders, in all cases, were caused by organophosphate pesticides. (Sinclair, W. 2007). These physicians go on to say that “All blood disorders occurred shortly after exposure to the pesticides DDVP/propoxur and malathion. The duration of inhaling insecticides ranged from 2 minutes in a patient enveloped in a thick insecticide fog in a small shed to 2 days in other patients whose homes were fumigated by their parents.” (Sinclair, W. 2007).
Doctors from Erasmus University, Rotterdam and the University Hospital, Utrecht, say that “Malathion has been shown to cause birth defects in a variety of wildlife and at levels lower than some other pesticides. (Sinclair, W. 2007). These doctors go on to say that researchers suspect that malathion may be the cause of Amyoplasia, a disorder characterized by the absence of skeletal muscle. (Sinclair, W. 2007). As if this is not enough evidence to suggest that at- the-very-least, we need to do far more testing on this product before we continue to expose human life and our environment to it’s dangers; researchers at the University of Toronto are quoted as saying, “Pregnant test animals exposed to malathion in this study did not show any physical health effects. When their offspring were born there were also no obvious health effects observed. However, when these offspring matured and had their own babies – the researchers found this newest litter had significantly lower body weight, grew slower and had approximately twice the number of infections.” (Sinclair, W. 2007).
It seems obvious that this research provides enough substantial evidence to suggest that there is a great deal of potential for severe health problems to manifest and appear long after being exposed to malathion. As far as dose- response assessment is concerned, small amounts of malathion exposure are suppose to not be harmful. However, malathion can become more toxic if it is stored for long periods of time and if it is exposed to high levels of heat. There are two types of malathion that are studied amongst scientists, doctors, and other researchers. There is the purified form, (which is approximately 99.9% malathion) and the other is called technical grade (which is approximately 96.5% malathion). The technical grade is what is generally used in mosquito spraying and control. Unfortunately, according to studies, the technical grade is estimated to be 10 times more potent in causing deaths amongst laboratory animals. (Sinclair, W. 2007). The most frightening part of all of this is that the technical grade is not the type of malathion that is being researched and discussed in health studies.
It is a known fact that there is a mosquito problem here in Genericville. However, I think that we can better serve members of our community by educating home-owners on how to maintain their property so that they are able to keep mosquito breeding at a minimal rate. I also feel that there are other products on the market today that are of a more organic nature and that will be more beneficial to our community and to our already fragile environment. I vote no on the use of malathion in Genericville.



































































Reference(s)

Pesticides: Mosquito Control. Malathion for Mosquito Control. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2007).
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/malathion4mosquitoes.htm

Sinclair, Wayne M.D. Malathion Medical Research. (2007).
http://www.chem-tox.com/malathion/research/index.htm