Persistence of malathion used in dengue control on household surfaces

Abstract

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. In Brazil, one of the insecticides used to control the mosquito is malathion, which can be diluted in vegetable oil (1:2 v/v). The purpose of this study was to understand the persistence of malathion on different surfaces and soil. Surfaces were contaminated by malathion and then washed with water and soap. The water used to clean the surfaces was extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography with an FID detector. Soil samples received malathion 14C-TG diluted in vegetable oil (1:2 v/v) and were analyzed zero, 3, 7, 18, 32, 60, 120, 240, and 360 days after the application in a liquid scintillation analyzer. Results showed a high persistence of malathion on porous surfaces. Moreover, it did not degrade in the soil for the first 120 days.

Histomorphometric Alterations in Hepatic Tissue from Malathion-Induced Toxicity: An Experimental Animal Study

“…1,2 It is also used for eradication of the vectors of different vector-borne diseases in households as well as the agriculture sector. 3 Other than pests and insects, several animal species are affected by these toxic compounds and act as a source of toxicity for the human population. 4 These compounds degrade in the atmosphere and cause diverse degrees of poisoning that not only dangerously affect the environment but also pose hazardous effects on crops, animal, and health of the humans.…”

“…4 These compounds degrade in the atmosphere and cause diverse degrees of poisoning that not only dangerously affect the environment but also pose hazardous effects on crops, animal, and health of the humans. 3,5,6 In developing countries like Pakistan, OP compounds like Malathion is the foremost reason of environmental poisoning. 6,7 It is a topical agent and being lipophilic, gets rapidly absorbed through the skin.…”

“…9 Studies have reported harmful effects of these Malathion-containing pesticides on human health ranging from mild headaches and body aches to respiratory distress, hormonal issues among women, hepatic issues and even death. 3,9 Moreover, studies also reported the harmful effects of Malathion on the different tissues and organs of the body of humans and animals. 10,11 The liver is not only a vital organ but also a chief metabolizing site for the bio-transformation of Malathion and its toxic metabolites.…”

Ocorrência simultânea de COVID-19 e dengue: o que os dados revelam?

“…The situation is similar with respiratory diseases like influenza, which display seasonal outbreaks, especially in the cooler autumn and winter months. With the spatial and temporal coincidence of these diseases, the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), which already presented deficiencies in clinical care for dengue and other diseases, was forced to quickly expand its physical infrastructure, purchase equipment and supplies, build field hospitals, train healthcare professionals, and increase its testing capacity 6,7,8,9,10,11,12 . Still, the impact of COVID-19 on the public healthcare system appears most acutely in the high demand for hospitalization, exhausting the supply of intensive care beds and mechanical ventilators in some regions of Brazil 13 .…”