Evonia Hogan Project Manager

Risk Assessment: Malathion Pesticide Use in Genericville

2008
The use of Malathion around the general public and its potential affects. This risk assessment is based on documented findings from several renowned experts. This information has been used in making the decision to approve its use in Genericville.

Table of Contents
Introduction ..1 Risk Assessment.2 Hazard Identification .2 Dose Response Assessment.2 Exposure Assessment..3 Risk Characterization.3 Risk Assessment Conclusion...3 References ..4

Introduction
Genericville is heavily dependant on the tourism trade to sustain it. The terrain exists of a large waterway surrounded by wetlands. They have a severe problem with mosquitoes that pose a high risk of spreading the West Nile Virus. They want to use a pesticide that has the potential to reduce the mosquito population by 90%. They requested a proposal for the use of the pesticide Malathion. At this time the proposal has been reviewed by the council and a vote is being pondered. They need an additional vote that will help them decide which course to take. I have created a risk assessment of use of Malathion. As a result this risk assessment I have come to a conclusion that will determine which vote will be cast regarding the use of Malathion.

Risk Assessment
Hazard Identification
These pesticides can possible cause birth defects and or cancer. A statistically significant association between the incidence of gastrointestinal anomalies in offspring and exposure to Malathion during the second trimester of pregnancy and a moderate association between stillbirths were reported by Thomas et al. (1992) The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Malathion as Group 3, i.e., Anot classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans@ (IARC 1983, 2001), because of lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and lack of human data. On the basis of these and earlier studies on Malathion that provided inconclusive evidence of carcinogenicity (because of deficiencies in study design, evaluation, and reporting) (IARC 1983, NCI 1978, 1979b), EPA has classified Malathion as indicating a suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity but not sufficient to assess human carcinogenic potential.

Dose-response Assessment
The dosage levels caused a variety of symptoms to appear based on the type of contamination and duration. The following are detailed examples of symptoms in ascending order of severe signs.

Common early signs or mild symptoms of acute cholinergic poisoning include miosis (pinpoint pupils), headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lethargy, agitation, and anxiety. (ATSDR, 2005) Moderate or severe poisoning can result in chest tightness, difficulty breathing, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, pallor, abdominal pain, incontinence, diarrhea, anorexia, tremor/ataxia, fasciculation, lacrimation, heavy salivation, profuse sweating, blurred vision, poor concentration, confusion, and memory loss. (ATSDR, 2005) Life-threatening or very severe signs and symptoms, such as coma, seizures, respiratory arrest, pulmonary edema, loss of reflexes, and flaccid paralysis, can occur at high doses, such as in the cases of attempted suicide. (ATSDR, 2005) Malathion also may be slightly irritating to the skin and eyes. In addition to acute poisoning, chronic effects such as peripheral neuropathy, neurobehavioral effects, and the development of allergic sensitivity have been reported, but these effects are not well documented (Blondell 1998).

Exposure Assessment
There are serious risks to humans as indicated by table of health effect levels of Malathion in humans. (ATSDR, 2005) (See Figure 1.)

Health Effect Levels of Malathion in Humans Route

Inhalation

Duration
5-10 minutes 3256 days once a day

NOAEL
21 mg/m3

LOAEL
85 mg/m3

Organ/Effect
Nasal irritation

Comments
No other signs of toxicity occurred. No clinical signs of toxicity, no effects on blood counts or urinalyses. The malathion (purity not reported) was given in corn oil in a capsule No effects were observed on erythrocyte or plasma cholinesterase activity

Reference
Golz 1959

0.23 mg/kg/day

0.34 mg/kg/day

Oral (Capsule)

25% Depression of plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase

Moeller and Rider 1962

42 days

21 mg/m3

85 mg/m3

Inhalation

Nasal and eye irritation Irritation occurred during the first 5 10 minutes of each exposure.

Golz 1959

Figure 1. Created from data retrieved from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3, Table 1.

Risk Characterization
The general population is not likely to be exposed to large amounts of Malathion. There is a small chance for exposure to residues of Malathion. It has been found in foods and atmosphere samples. People residing within areas of heavy Malathion use are at higher risks of exposure. Physical contact treated plants, inhalation of the mist formed from the use of the insecticide, or ingested in water or food borne residues are the primary sources of contamination risk. Skin contact appears to be the major route of exposure. Ingestion also can be an important route, but inhalation has not been shown to be a significant route of exposure to Malathion (ATSDR 2001).

Risk Assessment Conclusion

This risk assessment evaluation has revealed to me that there has not been enough testing on humans. The information indicates that there is a great risk to man, animal and plants in using Malathion. As a result of this assessment, I have recommended that this insecticide not be used at this time. This product needs additional testing to give a more accurate evaluation based on long term use. I will pass a vote of Nay to the council to prevent the use of this pesticide.

References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2005). Toxicologic information about insecticides used for eradicating mosquitoes. Malathion (CAS Number 121-75-5). Retrieved May 25, 2008, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/consultations/west_nile_virus/ Malathion.html. ATSDR. 2001. Toxicological profile for Malathion. Draft for Public Comment. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, ATSDR. (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 2) Blondell J. 1998. Review of malathion incident reports. Memorandum from J Blondell to P Deschamp, Health Effects Division, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3) IARC. 1983. Malathion. In: IARC Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans, Vol. 3, Miscellaneous pesticides. Lyon, France: IARC. (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3) IARC. 2001. Malathion (Group 3). Available at http://wwwcie.iarc.fr/htdocs/monographs/vol30/malathion.html. (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3) NCI. 1978. Bioassay of malathion for possible carcinogenicity. Washington, DC: US Department of Commerce. (NCICG- TR-24; available from: National Technical Information Services, Springfield, VA 22161; PB-278 527, unpublished study; CDL:242903-A). (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3) NCI. 1979b. Bioassay of malathion for possible carcinogenicity. Washington, DC: US Department of Commerce. (NCICG- TR-192; available from: National Technical Information Services, Springfield, VA 22161; PB-300 301, unpublished study; CDL:242903-B). (Cited in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2005, Section 3)