Malathion: Useful Or Deadly?

Malathion: Useful Or Deadly?

Malathion is a chemical that is used mainly in agriculture and in the public health pest control programs, such as mosquito eradication and and the eradication of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly. In very small doses, Malathion is also used to treat head lice, body lice and scabies. However, this chemical is currently banned in some countries since it has been linked to cancer. Other studies have revealed that after high exposure to Malathion, human birth defects were detected, human deaths, kidney failure and leukemia. When certain animals were exposed to Malathion, they developed brain injury, kidney damage and lung damage.

Here are two links which explains further what is Malathion and its side effects:

Source 9
Source 1


This chemical is currently being used in Trinidad to combat the Aedes Egypti mosquito, which is responsible for spreading the deadly dengue fever. In some countries, Malathion has been used to successfully combat the mosquitoes that spread the West Nile virus.

After learning that Malathion may be linked to cancer, do you think it should be banned in all countries or should public health sectors continue to use this chemical to combat mosquitoes? Do you think that Malathion may be linked to the four cases of leukemia in Felicity, Trinidad? What are your thoughts on this?

Message Edited... Persephone: Link code corrected.