SOURCE: Journal of Pesticide Reform, Winter 1992, vol.12, no.9, p.29 (9).
This article examines the health effects of Malathion in human and animal studies. Malathion is detrimental because it effects the nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AchE), that breaks down acetylcholine, a chemical essential in transmitting nerve impulses across junctions between nerves. Without functioning AchE, acetylcholine accumulates to produce rapid twitching of voluntary muscles, incoordination, convulsions, paralysis, and ultimately death. Acute toxicity reactions in humans include headaches, nausea...blurred vision and pupil constriction, slowed heartbeat, respiratory depression, paralysis, coma, as well as muscular damage (after inhalation). Birth defects, reproductive problems, and genetic damage have been associated with alathion exposure in humans and animals. Furthermore, Malathion has the potential to contaminate ground and surface water. In California, five of twenty-eight county water systems tested were contaminated with malathion1 and storm drains in Santa Clara County (where aerial sprays of malathion had been used for eradication programs) concentrated Malathion and malaoxon, eventually draining into San Francisco Bay.2 Drift and aerial spray mosquito control programs can expose people to levels of Malathion that can cause the aforementioned health effects.
1. Howard, P.H. (ed.) 1991 Handbook of environmental fate and exposure data for organic chemicals. Volume III. Pesticides. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers.
2. Oshama, R.J. et al. 1982. A characterization of sequential aerial Malathion applications in Santa Clara Valley of California, 1981. California Department of Food and Agriculture Environmental Hazards Assessment Program. (April.) p.12. Cited in Residents Against Spraying Pesticides. 1984. Environmental concerns. Unpublished report. Los Angeles, CA.
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