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Lisa Williams
Axia College
SCI275
mosquitoes and a variety of insects that attack fruits, vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs. It can
also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and insects, such as
fleas and ants. Malathion is the active ingredient in mosquito control products. These products contain
over 95% malathion and are often applied undiluted. However, they may be diluted with a petroleum
solvent similar to kerosene before application, in which case petroleum solvent will make up most of
Pesticide products are inherently toxic, no pesticide exposure is risk free. The likelihood of
experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to any pesticide, including malathion, depends
primarily on the amount of pesticide that a person contacts and the amount of time the person is in
contact with that pesticide. In addition, a person's age, sex, genetic makeup, life style and/ or general
health characteristics can affect his or her likelihood of experiencing adverse health effects as a result
of exposure to pesticides
As a member of the Grenericville city council, my vote is to vote against the use of the insecticide
spray Malathion. Malathion is a powerful pesticide. The chemical Malathion and the impact it has on
society's health is almost as great as impact of mosquito-borne diseases, like the West Nile which
Genericville also has reported cases of every summer. According to a study done in 2000 by the
Environmental Protection Agency,(EPA), laboratory rats exposed to the chemicals were found to have
Cornel University conducted a study and states that Malathion is moderately toxic to birds. This
study also revealed that Malathion is highly toxic to honey bees, some species of fish and to aquatic
invertebrates. The potential hazard to both the people of Genericville and to the wildlife is not a risk I
am willing to take. I do not believe that the benefits of spraying Malathion out weigh the associated
risks.
Of all the case studies I have seen show cases where Malathion has killed wildlife and created health
Risk Assessment of Malathion p. 3
problems for those exposed. An article by the Department of Preventive Medicine University of
Southern California, Los Angeles shows a potential health risk of Malathion. The study states, "it was
found that children who had been exposed to Malathion during the second trimester of pregnancy were
showing over two and one-half times more gastrointestinal disorders (affecting the stomach and small
Exposure can cause rapid severe poisoning with headache, sweating, nausea and vomiting, loss of
coordination and death. This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a
deadly chemical (Fwd Malathion Online 1999). There is no way I could , in good conscience agree to
Research shows that Malathion is not toxic in itself, unless it is absorbed into the body of humans or
animals can cause several cellular mutations, especially in the cells of the lymph systems and white
blood cells. Individuals tolerate different levels of Malathion. In other words, what may be non-toxic
to one may be fatal to another. Malathion has the potential to be harmful and exposures to this
chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the
amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure. The chemical can be absorbed through
After careful consideration, I have decided to vote against this measure and hopefully, my “no” vote
will inspire us all to investigate other safer alternatives to controlling the mosquito problem. I am sure
we can find other alternatives. The citizens of Genericville must be our main concern, and I am not
comfortable using a pesticide that may cause harm to our citizens or animals.
Risk Assessment of Malathion p. 4
Work Cited:
Holness, W. (2005, July 21). Malathion and its risks. Retrieved from www.malathion.com