STUDY: Immune System Weakens After Malathion Exposure. University of Virginia.

SOURCE: The Journal of Immunology, vol.140, p.564 (7).

According to the Journal of Immunology, Malathion contains chemical impurities which have been found to weaken immune system function, including a weakening of a type of white blood cell called “cytotoxic lymphocytes” (which attack cancer cells and virus infected cells). These lymphocytes can also attack viruses in the body. Malathion has been shown to significantly weaken the cytotoxic lymphocyte’s ability to perform their job effectively. Since it has been shown that people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop encephalitis, paradoxically, it must be considered that malathion has the potential in itself to increase encephalitis cases as the spraying of malathion can weaken a person’s immune system, thereby making them more vulnerable to the disease.

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/mosquito/documents/citizensHealthEffectsMosqP.pdf