The Effects of Malathion

Malathion is an insecticide. Of the various types of insecticides, it is an organophosphate parasympathomimetic. Malathion is the most commonly used organophosphate insecticide. It is very popular in agriculture, landscaping, public recreation areas, and public pest control programs. Malathion is not very toxic to humans and is therefore one of the safer chemical insecticides in use today.

Malathion as a Treatment

In low doses, malathion is a treatment for head and body lice and scabies. Manufacturers market malathion-based products as being able to kill both the eggs and the adult lice effectively. Because the concentrations needed for such products are only around 0.5 percent, many scientists view this as a sign that it is safe for human contact.

Toxicity of Malathion

Malathion has a low toxicity; however, when ingested into the human body, it metabolizes into malaoxon, which is roughly 60 times more toxic than malathion. In addition, there is currently no reliable information regarding the negative effects of chronic malathion exposure. Malathion also changes to malaoxon during chlorination of water, so you should avoid using malathion near a source of drinking water. When used indoors and in a poorly ventilated environment, malathion can be poisonous; however, the EPA has estimated that the exposure to such a chemical in those conditions is well under the toxic dose. There is no evidence that malathion has carcinogenic properties.

Effects of Malathion Exposure

There is no information available about low-level, long-duration exposure to malathion. However, exposure to extremely high levels of malathion causes many symptoms, including:

• Skin and eye irritation
• Nausea and diarrhea
• Cramps and seizures
• Sweating
• Death

As an insecticide, malathion is a neurotoxin, which means it interferes with muscle movement by causing frequent and severe muscle spasms. If these symptoms go untreated, death can occur.

Malathion is a widely used insecticide that generally poses little to no danger to humans. It is also incredibly effective and causes minimal collateral damage to wildlife or the environment. You should try to use malathion outdoors only. However, if you must use the pesticide indoors, you should exercise extreme caution and ensure that the area has excellent ventilation. If you have any questions about malathion, its effectiveness as an insecticide, or believe it may be beneficial in or around your home, contact a pest control expert.