Thechemical Malathion Case Study

The relevant factors in this decision involve looking at the potential advantages of an IGR (insect growth regulator) over the traditional adulticide products currently in the market. With toxicity and safety concerns of these types of products being top of mind for many consumers, the newer IGR products should bring welcome benefits to end consumers using the product on a regular basis.

The most likely routes of exposure of B.t.k. to the general public include skin, oral, and inhalation. A small amount of blood or eye exposure may occur in workers, but even then there is no guarantee of risk. B.t.k. seems to be an effective and widely used chemical agent for suppression of the gypsy moth.

What has been brought to light in recent years is the effects of these chemicals on the body’s immune response. By introducing these toxic chemicals into the body, the potency of the immune system is compromised. More commonly than not, the body’s magnificent defense system will kick in and destroy foreign invaders but all it can take is an overwhelming amount of chemicals to slow or even shut down the body’s response systems. A large amount of these types of chemicals introduced into the body at one time would be considered acute toxicity and could even cause death. Additionally, a small amount of these poisonous substances brought into the body over a long period would be considered chronic toxicity and can have detrimental effects on the body’s natural response (Hoernschemeyer 55-57). This information is startling enough to want to make a change from conventionally grown food to pesticide-free organic

Although I feel that malathion, when correctly regulated, is perfectly safe for humans, I do not feel that it’s worth the impact it will have on the environment. Being highly toxic to important insects and fish will negatively affect the surrounding ecosystem. Once we began to deplete that, then there definitely won’t be any mosquitos left to worry

Ammonium Sulfate is a substance added to pesticides. It is unknown at this time as a carcinogen but it’s been suspected in gastrointestinal, liver, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory system toxicity. On its MSDS sheet all hazards identification on carcinogen, mutatagenic (cellular mutations), teratogenic (fetal development) and developmental toxicity are listed as “not available”. (ScienceLab, MSDS)

Malathion has been introduced to our City Council here in Wilhelmville. We as a community are looking for a pesticide to kill these insects destroying our crops, however in reviewing information found and presented to us and our council we have a split decision. Below is what we have been presented with by concerned citizens of the community. When presenting this information to the members of the council will assist me and others in our decision whether this is the pesticide that we need to use here in our community.

To understand pesticides, we must look at the facts about them. According to the EPA, pesticides are chemicals specifically designed and sold to prevent, destroy, or repel pests from garden, greenhouses, fields, and orchards (Learn About Chemicals Around Your House). Charlotte Gerber’s article, How Do Pesticides Kill Bugs, explained that pesticides targets insects and kills them by attacking the nervous system and then when the muscles are over-stimulated, this will lead to paralysis and death. The effect of the organophosphates that cause that in pesticides was discovered in the 1930's during World War II. They were used in the creation of nerve gas, which was used in chemical warfare. When used in lethal dosages for humans, organophosphates cause extreme excitability, convulsions, paralysis and in most cases, death (Gerber). According to Effects of Pesticides on Human Health, The World Health Organization estimates that there are 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year and up to 220,000 deaths, primarily in developing countries (Lah and Glibert 2011). Children, and any other young and developing organisms, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. Even very low levels of exposure during development may have adverse health effects. Exposure can even lead to neurological health effects such as memory loss, loss of

Although there have been improvements in the safety of fungicides, many still contain potentially dangerous compounds. Although commercial mercury has been replaced in fungicides, "the possibility of exposure to environmental sources of organic methylmercury still exists," which can negatively impact upon human health, such as when fish that have accumulated the toxin within their body are consumed (Hasan 2010: 358). Because fungicides are often used in combinations with other chemicals, the toxicity of the fungicide may be unexpectedly high (Hasan 2010: 358). For example, "recommended field application rates of Propiconazole are considered too low to kill a substantial number of bees, but when mixed with

The use of pesticides is an important decision that thousands of communities face each year. Nobody likes dealing with mosquitos and the diseases they bring so using chemicals and pesticides is an option but with other consequences. Mosquitos carry West Nile Virus that affects the city of Genericville every year with 50 cases projected this year in the city and two fatalities as well. On the other hand, the chemicals proposed for controlling the mosquito population has its own risks. The pesticide Malathion is also dangerous to people if they come in contact with it before it degrades. The potential for citizens of the city being exposed is almost a certainty

Typically this type of spray should be used in the evening and night time if you plan to be outside. It is also recommended if you are going to be in a swampy or wooded area for any length of time. Insect repellent containing 5 to 30 percent DEET is the most effective. Be sure to choose a DEET product that is suited for the age of the person using it and time being spent outside. This information will be available on the product label. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and to apply the product properly.

Americans get a lot of bug bites during the summer. Many have been wondering how to go the whole summer without getting bitten. This report will explore good ways to repel insects. Is natural bug repellant better than bug spray? Is DEET really a terrible option for bug repellant?

In the early 1940’s, a new technology emerged that was able to successfully combat crop-damaging and disease-carrying insects. A new age of synthetic chemical pesticides use arose. After their impressive success in fighting deadly insect-borne diseases during World War II, pesticides were used widely to combat insect pests for agriculture and public health. Few people challenged the benefits of the new scientific and technological products and many embraced pesticide use with enthusiasm. Despite its success, doubts about pesticide use began to appear a decade later in the 1950’s, when the government began a vigorous pesticide campaign across the country against insect pests. Scientists began reporting heavy losses of avian and

One argument is on the company’s claim that DEET products are safe under “normal use.” While using the products under “normal use” do not present any health concerns to the general public, with a surge of fear over the Zika virus, advocates against DEET believe that people will invariably use more than the recommended dosages. In response to the recent concern, SC Johnson released a press statement to address the topic of DEET poisoning by saying that when applied correctly, and according to the label directions, the DEET spray OFF! could be “used with confidence” (SC Johnson2 p1). It is one of the few insect repellant products that can be applied directly onto the skin (R.E.D. Facts p3). However, the issue of what constitutes “normal use” is not clearly understood, or defined, especially during an outbreak. The effects of an excessive amount of DEET usage include blisters, rashes, and skin and membrane irritation (CDC p3). However, with the recent Zika epidemic, civilians are encouraged to use more protection when outdoors. For example, NBC News recently reported on the panic Zika has caused in Recife, a major Brazilian city. The health department workers in Recife sprayed the streets with DEET products in preparation for their largest festival, “Carnival” (Derenowski). The citizens of Recife were taking a tremendous risk by using such vast quantities of a product that should be used sparingly. This exemplifies what may happen if individuals heed the ambiguous message that “normal use” of DEET is harmless; the fact that more should be used outdoors caused a potentially harmful situation. This is why it is dangerous for SC Johnson to declare that a product is safe to use given that it can lead to detrimental effects to people’s

I would further develop this product by using a different neurotoxin. In addition to permethrin and allethrin that is currently included in the mixture, I would suggest using d-trans-Resmethrin. Bioresmethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide with several uses, which includes controlling the adult mosquito population and hence would be a suitable

Spectracide is a common insecticide, its active ingredient is malathion. Malathion is an organophosphate that has been registered for use in the United States since 1956. In 2012, 1-3 million pounds of malathion were sold (EPA). Malathion functions by inhibiting the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, by phosphorylation of the serine residue at the active site of the enzyme (EPA, 2016). This inhibition causes acetylcholine accumulation which leads to neurotoxicity in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system (EPA, 2016). Malathion has been previously shown to increase the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with increased time of exposure (Krstic et. al. 2008).