Malathion is an insecticide regulated by the EPA and is used to control mosquitoes. The chemical is currently being used as a country wide go to for mosquito eradication. Malathion is sprayed across towns as a preventative of such occurrences. Through the dismemberment of malathion comes several health risks. It falls onto farm crops, contaminating our fruits and vegetables with the insecticide.
Malathion is proven to be toxic by contact of skin, inhalation and ingestion to small organisms. It is also proven to cause neurological damage, liver failure and much more. 2 This is why it is so effective when it comes to killing insects. However, although small amounts will not cause you to suddenly …show more content…
It works differently for each individual exposed versus their sensitivity to the chemical. For example, if you were exposed to a low toxicity amount of malathion on your skin, you would simply just have a small rash which would vanish within a few days. If you were exposed to a high toxicity level of malathion can cause headaches, seizures, neurological attacks as well as many more horrible symptoms. Household pets, such as dogs who are exposed to the chemical when sprayed on lawns are vulnerable to respiratory issues, loss of mobility, tremors and comas. In some studies it has also been proven to cause cancer.
Exposure Assessment:
People are exposed to small amounts of malathion. However, it is found in our water, air and soil in which our fruits and vegetables grow from. When it comes to soil, the chemical has a half life of one to seventeen days, making it unpredictable of how long it resignates in our environment. It's also found to be very mobile in soil, allowing it to widen where it lays. Crops which are used for distribution to grocery stores are constantly being contaminated with malathion. Therefore, most of us unknowingly ingest this chemical on a daily basis.
Risk