However, its overall toxicity is influenced by its metabolites and other chemical constituents of its chemical formulation.
This chapter provides an update and analysis of the production and use, environmental occurrence, molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, and adverse human health effects associated with malathion exposure. Hence, it has been recommended not to enter or go to the fields sooner than 6 days after malathion spraying [4]. Malathion has also been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for addition in shampoos in order to control head lice [1]. Possible symptoms of acute exposure to high levels of malathion include skin and eye irritation, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, excessive sweating, seizures and even death. Because malathion is rapidly degraded by soil bacteria, low concentrations are expected to be present in groundwater [4]. Malathion has strong "biological effects" but its use is closely regulated, McLaughlin said. Wildlife Poisoning / Environmental Incident. NPIC provides objective, science-based answers to questions about pesticides. water, malathion has a half-life between 2 and 18 days, depending on conditions like temperature and pH. be exposed to residues of malathion if you ate food that had been treated
The regulations and recommendations for malathion include the following: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allow a maximum amount of 8 parts per million (ppm) of malathion to be present as a residue on specific crops used as foods [10]. Depending on the level of exposure, several signs and symptoms of toxicity including numbness, tingling sensation, headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, weakness, irritation of skin, exacerbation of asthma, abdominal cramps, and death have been reported. University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (cooperative agreement or vomited, had muscle tremors, cramps, weakness, shortness of breath, a slowed
or eat plants that have just been sprayed. Other studies indicated that chronic exposure to malathion significantly decreases RBCs, Hb, and P.C.V% values in treated animals compared to the control group [76]. Prolonged treatment often is needed to reverse the poisoning. In another toxicokinetics study, it was reported that more than 90% of absorbed malathion was eliminated through urine within 24 hours of exposure, by male rats orally exposed to 28 mg/kg malathion, or dermally exposed to 41 mg/kg malathion. Similar to other organophosphate pesticides, malathion exerts it toxic action by binding to acetylcholinesterase enzyme and inhibiting its activity, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine in synaptic junctions, which in turn results in overstimulation of cholinergic, muscarinic, and nicotinic receptors, and subsequent induction of adverse biologic effects. Exposure to high concentrations of malathion has been associated with severe toxicity and death in some cases. However, recent scientific data have demonstrated that malathion and other pesticides induce liver and kidney histopathological alterations in experimental animals [92, 99101]. Both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors as well as central nervous system receptors are modulated by malathion exposure [36]. Being the most hazardous form, malaoxon is 40 times more acutely toxic than malathion [84, 85]. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. In an investigation involving long-term dietary exposures to malathion, researchers observed an increased incidence of liver and nasal/oral tumors in rats and increased incidence of liver tumors in mice [44]. sensitivity specifically to malathion. Other studies using higher doses of malathion in rats and mice found that
The people who are at the greatest risk to malathion toxicity are those who are occupationally exposed. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. From a 2001 study conducted by researchers at Columbia University and the Universities of Tarapaca and Concepcion (Chile), malathion exposure significantly increases the incidence rate of breast cancer in rats [60].
Malathion has been identified by the National Institute for Occupational safety and Health (NIOSH) as a mutagen, based on a comprehensive review of scientific evidence from many mutagenicity tests including bacteria, fruit flies, mice, hamsters, fish and human cell cultures bioassays conducted in 29 laboratories between 1978 and 1995 [48]. "We do find malathion in rain in Winnipeg and we know for sure that is coming from city applications as opposed to agriculture," she said. Malathion is an insecticide in the chemical family known as organophosphates. Home > Books > Toxicity and Hazard of Agrochemicals, Submitted: October 20th, 2014 Reviewed: May 27th, 2015 Published: July 22nd, 2015, Edited by Marcelo L. Larramendy and Sonia Soloneski, Total Chapter Downloads on intechopen.com. In
In addition to the use of malathion in plant applications, it is a key component of personal hygiene products used for lice control [10]. This will reduce the risk of poisoning and overdose. In epidemiological studies with human blood cells, DNA damage and oxidative stress have been proposed as a process that could mechanistically link pesticide exposure to a number of health outcomes [2]. Arthropods such as insects lack or possess a low level of carboxyesterases.
The information in this publication does not in any way The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established an exposure limit for malathion in the workplace of 15 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), for an 8-hour workday, 40 hours per week [79]. Intermediate syndrome (delayed neuropathy) has been reported in humans as a result of acute exposure to high amounts of malathion. pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed This may include staying in the hospital intensive care unit and getting long-term therapy.
During the IranIraq War (19811988), it was reported that Iraq used nerve agents such as tabun and sarin. Signal words ranging from caution to danger have been developed; depending on the combined toxicity of the active ingredient and other product components. Malaoxon, desmethyl malathion, O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate, monoethyl fumarate, and thiomalic acid concentrations were relatively low [38]. The responders will wear protective gear. It has been reported that malathion may remain in the environment for up to few months, but is usually transformed or degraded within a few weeks through the processes of photolysis, hydrolysis, and/or biodegradation by microorganisms. In rats, they have been found in many organs including the liver, blood serum, and kidney [4]. Toxicity is usually the result of binding of AChE to malaoxon (malathion metabolite) which leads to the accumulation of ACh at the nerve junctions and subsequent overstimulation of the nervous system [36]. The results from this study indicated that malathion adsorbed to kaolin maybe transported over long distances, while that adsorbed to fly ash will be photodegraded and therefore will not be transported far in the atmosphere [30]. Call the poison control center for treatment information. exposure," for malathion. One Manitoba professor says more research could be done to answer the question. Malaoxon, the primary toxic metabolite of malathion, is produced in the liver as a result of a biotransformation process involving an oxidative sulfuration catalyzed by the cytochrome P450 enzyme [38, 39]. Some of the common areas of usage include agricultural, industrial, and use by the general public. Today, malathion is still considered as one of the safest OP insecticides. This length of time is known as the half-life. Being a non-systemic, wide-spectrum insecticide, malathion is one of the most frequently used OP pesticides. Licensee IntechOpen. A 2003 report indicated that malathion reduced sperm count and the number of normal forms in test mice with a maximal effect at 18 days post-injection [95]. Their modern derivatives include highly neurotoxic agents such as sarin, soman, and tabun. A study indicated that malathion usage may affect the hematopoietic system [74]. Health Canada tells Winnipeg it can't fog with years-old, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Its metabolic oxidation in mammals, insects, and plants leads to the formation of malaoxon which appears to be several times more acutely toxic and represents the primary cause of malathions toxicity. Their concentrations in tissues and body fluids are important biomarkers of exposure. heart rate, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Through the action of carboxylesterases, both malathion and malaoxon are degraded into metabolic products that are more water-soluble and less toxic [44]. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First
It has been effective in the control of pests on vegetables, field crops, fruits, agriculture, commercial extermination, fumigation, domestic animals, and veterinary practices. Has anyone studied non-cancer effects from long-term exposure to malathion? It kills insects by preventing their nervous systems from working properly. Brief introduction to this section that descibes Open Access especially from an IntechOpen perspective, Want to get in touch? In addition, the study reported that sublethal doses of malathion exposure caused deleterious effects on hematological parameters of treated animals [75]. On Friday, the federal department said Manitoba can use the stock pile in the event of a public health emergency such as a West Nile virus outbreak. In biologic systems, malathion and its metabolites have a very low accumulation potential and are eliminated through urine within a few days. The remaining malathion was detected in the feces, blood, intestines, liver, and kidneys [34]. Editorial team. Similar findings have been reported from recent studies, supporting those that were previously reviewed by NIOSH. Previous studies indicated that administration of malathion caused damage to the Leydig cells and decreased the levels of testosterone [96, 97]. Malathion toxicity causes a disruption of the functioning of the cholinergic system, and elicits basic clinical signs and symptoms that are similar in humans and other mammals [4]. [1,3,4]. They are generally lipid-soluble and are capable of penetrating the skin, the blood brain barrier, the placenta, and into the fetus [4]. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Symptoms include weakness in several motor cranial nerves, weakness in neck flexors and proximal limb muscles, and respiratory paralysis. 5 things to know about malathion | CBC News Loaded. also been used in public health mosquito control and fruit fly eradication programs. Hence, it has many applications in agricultural, nonagricultural, and public health purposes. These other constituents of malathion compounds are impurities that may result from contamination during manufacturing and/or chemical storage [4]. "It disrupts nervous system function by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme,"Health Canada said. Bacteria in the soil may break down malathion and sunlight can break down malathion in the air. Most people are not exposed to malathion in the air that they breathe or on things that they touch, unless they live near areas being sprayed. People, pets and other animals can be affected the same way as insects if they are exposed to enough malathion. Malathion is an OP insecticide that is used mostly in agriculture and in public health programs to control infestations of insects including ants, aphids, fleas, fruit flies, hornets, mites, mosquitoes, moths, spiders, thrips, ticks, wasps, and weevil. As PhD students, we found it difficult to access the research we needed, so we decided to create a new Open Access publisher that levels the playing field for scientists across the world. A large amount of radiolabeled compound (80%) was excreted in urine, and was comprised mainly of malathion dicarboxylic acid and of thiomalic acid and malathion mono acids to a lesser extent. Recent studies have underscored the need to strengthen EPAs carcinogenicity classification. From a toxicokinetics study with radiolabeled malathion, it was reported that ten different metabolites of malathion were detected in the urine of rats.
It was not until World War II that the magnitude of detrimental effect on organisms was discovered from the research conducted to determine the toxicity of nerve gases used for military purpose [1]. Malathion
Similar study showed reduction in the number of immature germ cells due to decrease of steroidogenic activity and damage of the Sertoli cells [96]. Medfly outbreak resulted in a significant reduction in agricultural yields. In water, malathion breaks down quickly by hydrolysis or by the action of bacteria present in the water. They bind to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at nerve endings throughout the bodies of insects and other organisms [36]. Interestingly, malathion present in the body system will clear up or be eliminated within three to five days [86]. By Paul K. Mensah, Carolyn G. Palmer and Oghenekaro N. Odume. Its inhibition causes the blockage to signal transmission leading to intoxication manifested by restlessness, hyperexcitability, convulsions, paralysis, and death [24]. However, the different OPs vary widely in their potency and how well they are absorbed by the body depending on the route of exposure [36]. A.D.A.M. Aid instructions on the product label carefully. In humans, the clinical manifestations of malathion toxicity depend on several factors including the target enzyme and its sensitivity, the site of interaction at the synaptic junction, the dose of malaoxon that interacts with the receptor, and the exposure route [4]. Evidence of the carcinogenic effects of few pesticides in animals and an increase in the risk of developing malignancies in occupationally exposed populations have made necessary studies in exposed workers [5458]. Malathion may also be found in certain products used to kill head lice. 1.800.858.7378 npic@ace.orst.edu You could also
A study conducted in the Sierra Nevada Mountains reported very low malathion concentrations in air (< 1 ng/m3), and concentrations ranging from 64 to 83 ng/L in surface waters between 18 and 2042 altitude. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website. Malathion is an insecticide, a product used to kill or control bugs. Rabbits were more likely to resorb their fetuses if they were fed malathion when pregnant. The Ecotoxicity of Pyrimethanil for Aquatic Biota, Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, USA. Findings from another study demonstrated that the increase in cancer incidence was linked to the damage of an important gene by malathion [61]. #X8-83560101). Malathion may be transported in the atmosphere as a vapor or adsorbed onto particulate matter [30].
Between late 1970s and 2008, malathion was the primary pesticide used in the USDA Boll Weevil Eradication Program to protect cotton crops in the southern United States [12, 13]. Overexposure to the insecticide may produce a variety of symptoms in animals and humans including: nausea, dizziness, sweating, salivation, runny nose and watery eyes, according to Health Canada. In a two-year dietary study, researchers administered oral doses of 2,359, 739, or 868 mg/kg/day to rats. Malathion has been detected in human breast milk [47], although no studies were found that examined the relationship to exposure or if its presence could cause adverse effects in nursing infants. Although acute toxicity study with malathion displays deleterious effects in humans and test animals, chronic toxicity study revealed that a group of volunteers who ingested low dose of malathion over a period of 1.5 months did not show a significant inhibition of their blood cholinesterase activity [16]. How? The accumulation of acetylcholine at the nerve junctions as a result of OP binding to the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, phosphorylating its serine hydroxyl group, and deactivating its functional esterase site [9]. Keep all chemicals, cleaners, and industrial products in their original containers and marked as poison, and out of the reach of children. The United States used malathion among the insecticides to control mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus during the year 2005 [15]. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378. children may be especially sensitive to pesticides, Oregon State The constant
intended to be educational in nature and helpful to consumers for
Malathion
Several muscarinic effects such as salivation, lacrimation (production of tears), urination and defecation (the SLUD syndrome), vomiting, dyspnea (shortness of breath), bradycardia (reduced heart rate), abdominal pain, miosis (constriction of the pupils), and anorexia have been documented as a result of malathion interaction with AchE and over excitation of the post-ganglionic parasympathetic receptors in the nervous system [42]. To minimize its damage, federal and state authorities implemented the Medfly Eradication Program. Its potential systemic health effects on specific organs include the following: At high doses, malathion acts like other OP insecticides to suppress the immune system in certain animal species [73]. A.D.A.M. asked by the general public about pesticides that are regulated by the
Malathion was developed during World War II, in the 1950s, and has been known for its high insect potency, but low mammalian toxicity. U.S. EPA. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Homeowners use malathion for the following purposes: on ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees, outdoor garbage dumps, irrigation and sewage systems, pastures, and range land. your hands. increased cancer in the treated animals. Urinary excretion accounted for about 8589% of the exposed dose, while fecal excretion accounted for about 415% within 72 hours post-exposure[38]. Estimation by the U.S. EPA indicates that over 30 million pounds of malathion are used annually [5]. People who apply products containing malathion may be exposed
A similar mode of action has been reported for all OP insecticides [37]. In the central nervous system, neural transmission is disrupted. Orally administered malathion has been reported to be excreted in large amount (8090% as parent compound) in the urine within the first 24 hours post-exposure[44]. Below are symptoms of malathion poisoning in different parts of the body. "The low levels of exposure that would arise in a community when it is used as approved would not be expected to result in human health problems," he said. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. These high-risk groups can be exposed through skin absorption by contacting contaminated products or surfaces, or through lung absorption by inhaling contaminated air. Because of these properties, malathion can be found in surface waters
Please cite as: Gervais, J. OPs are phosphorous-containing insecticides that were originally developed in the 1940s as highly toxic biological warfare agents. other animals. There is limited data in the literature regarding the hepatic effects of malathion in agricultural workers. Malathion deposited on these platforms may subsequently be transported away through the action of rainfall/precipitation, and wind.
Call 911 for all medical emergencies. [41]. Additionally, malathion has been detected in the fog of remote pristine areas, indicating that long-range transport may occur under some conditions [32]. The chemical structure of the technical grade of malathion is shown in Figure 1, and its physicochemical properties are presented in Table 1 [1, 3, 6, 7, 8].
OP pesticides including malathion share a common mode of action. This causes the nerves to signal each other without stopping. AChE plays an important role in the control of nerve excitability at post-synaptic sites. NPIC is a cooperative agreement Generally, the
is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Physical and chemical properties of malathion. their bodies within a day of exposure. A documented scientific report showed that high doses of malathion induce developmental and reproductive effects in experimental animals [93]. It is also used as pest control for agricultural food and feed crops including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, limes, cotton, cherries, garlic, greens, dates, and celery [1]. 9th ed. Accessed August 25, 2021. Malathion, an OP compound, is also known as carbophos, maldison, and mercaptothion. replace or supersede the restrictions, precautions, directions, or with this pesticide. prevents the nerve signal from stopping. NPIC fact sheets are designed to answer questions that are commonly
In April 2000, U.S. EPA classified malathion as having suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity but not sufficient to assess human carcinogenic potential by all routes of exposure. From an in vivo study examining the metabolism and distribution of malathion, ten metabolites were found in the urine and feces of rats pre-exposed to radiolabeled malathion. Malathion was first registered for use in the United States in 1956. Malathion is used in agriculture to kill and control insects on crops and in gardens. Malathion General Fact Sheet; National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Adsorbed malathion is photodegraded when exposed to irradiation for up to 1.5 hours, but does not degrade when adsorbed to kaolin.