Malathion

Malathion

  • Submitted By: akdavis08
  • Date Submitted: 12/02/2008 1:45 PM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 880
  • Page: 4
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Malathion Risk Assessment
Amanda Davis
Axia College

Malathion Risk Assessment

Malathion is an insecticide of relatively low human toxicity The chemical was given the ok to be used in the United States around the 1950’s. Malathion is an insecticide that belongs to a particular group of organophosphates. Several products containing malathion can be used to control insects outdoors such as mosquitoes. There are several products that contain the chemical and are sold in different forms.
Malathion is a very low in toxicity that when ingested and applied to the skin of rats. Impurities in malathion products can increase the toxicity of malathion to rats. If the products containing the chemical are not stored properly, it could cause impurities. Malathion impurities can be toxic and may increase the toxicity of the chemicals. When malathion was used in skin irritation studies, slight skin irritation was found on rabbits. It did not however cause skin sensitivity when studied with guinea pigs. In the study with rabbits the insecticide caused slight eye irritation. The chemical found no eye effects with rats.
In further studies, volunteers ingested the insecticide for several days and there were no significant cholinesterase activity affects. Volunteers eating the chemical for several days had reduced cholinesterase activities 3 weeks into the dosing period and the study. When the chemical was used for several days there were no signs of cholinesterase activity affects and no signs of poison. In further studies conducted with the chemical in dust form volunteers complained of skin irritation odor.
Researchers conducted a study evaluating the health risks associated with people living in areas treated with malathion by ground and air applications. Of these reports 123 were listed as probable or possible cases. The most common reported symptoms were associated with the respiratory and nervous systems. Researchers associated a human...

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