Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide used for mosquito control, head lice treatment, and pest control. It impacts the parasympathetic nervous system by triggering the release of acetylcholine. It is relatively safe for mammals and birds but poses a risk to bees and can degrade into a more toxic compound. Malathion may also be an endocrine disruptor and is suspected to be a carcinogen. Symptoms of malathion toxicity include skin rashes, blurred vision, vomiting, cramps, seizures, heart palpitations, headaches, and profuse sweating.
Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that has been registered for use primarily as a mosquito control with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since the mid-1950s. Specifically, it is an organophosphate parasympathomimetic. This means that it belongs to a class of chemicals that impact the parasympathetic nervous system. Other members of this chemical family include tear gas and sarin.
The mechanism of an organophosphate parasympathomimetic is to trigger the release of acetylcholine, the major neurotransmitter used by the parasympathetic nervous system. This is accomplished by stimulating nicotinic or muscarinic receptors or by suppressing the release of cholinesterase. The insecticidal properties of the malath are due to the latter.
To treat mosquito infestations, malathion is often applied as a mist or fine mist containing diesel fuel. It was also mixed with corn syrup and sprayed from the air to combat the Mediterranean fruit fly in the western U.S. In the late 1990s, malation was one of the pesticides sprayed around New York City to help deter the virus of the West Nile. In addition to being used in public mosquito control programs, the insecticide is also approved for use in parks and other recreational areas and in agriculture.
The United States Food and Drug Administration approves the inclusion of malathion in a lotion prescribed for the treatment of head lice. The agency also allows its use in products formulated to kill ants and other pests in residential patios and gardens. It can also be found in indoor pest control products, as well as pet care products intended to treat fleas and ticks.
While the EPA argues that there isn’t enough evidence to declare malation as a carcinogen, it is still suspected as such. Experiments using rodents have resulted in liver tumors, although the exposure amounts have exceeded the levels most humans are likely to encounter. However, the results of other animal studies suggest that the insecticide may be an endocrine disruptor.
Malathion itself is considered relatively safe for mammals and birds, but as an insecticide it poses a risk to bees. This substance also degrades rapidly in the environment if there is sufficient moisture and light. However, under certain conditions, it can degrade into malaoxon, which is over 60 times more toxic than the parent compound. For example, drinking water exposed to malation spray can later form malaoxon in the treatment plant during chlorination. For this reason, care should be taken to limit contact with reservoirs and waterways.
This insecticide will also convert to malaoxon in the human body when absorbed or ingested. Symptoms of malathion toxicity include skin rashes, blurred vision, vomiting, cramps, seizures, heart palpitations, headaches, and profuse sweating. In case of high toxicity, central nervous system depression may occur.
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