Genetic toxicity of malathion: A review

Abstract

Mammalian in vivo and in vitro studies of technical or commercial grade malathion and its metabolite malaoxon show a pattern of induction of chromosome damage, as measured by chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei. Experiments with purified (> 99%) malathion gave weak or negative results. In contrast to the cytogenetic effects of technical grade malathion, responses in gene mutation assays were generally negative except for malaoxon, which was positive for mammalian gene mutations in both tested instances. This result also could be a consequence of chromosome level changes, however. Dermal exposure, a common human route, caused cytogenetic damage in test animals at doses near those producing positive results by intraperitoneal injection. Workers who apply technical grade malathion and other pesticides have higher levels of chromosomal damage than unexposed individuals. Because of the inactivity of malathion mixtures in gene mutation assays, malathion has been thought to be of little genotoxic concern. However, the pattern of chromosome damage in animals and mammalian cells in culture (including human) indicates that technical grade malathion and its components have not been adequately studied for genotoxic potential in humans.

Residual toxicity of insecticides used in Tunisian citrus orchards on the imported parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Implications for IPM program of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…These insecticides have been recently banned from the European Union (OJEU, 2015) by their human health concerns (Flessel et al, 1993;Marty et al, 1994) and their harmful effects on nontarget arthropods (Ehler & Endicott, 1984;Urbaneja et al, 2009) which lead in some cases to outbreaks of secondary agricultural pests that were under control of natural enemies. Despite this banning, Malathion is still used in the Mediterranean area [including some EU members by some considerations in the OJEU (2015)], including Tunisia, as efficient pesticide against C. capitata.…”

Protective effects of vitamin C against biochemical toxicity induced by malathion pesticides in male albino rat

“…Malathion is an insecticide with a neurotoxin action that causes insect death by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (Kwong, 2002). Besides their neurotoxin effects, the organophosphate insecticides have other properties such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity, which can affect human beings (Flessel et al, 1993;Giri et al, 2002).…”

Application of primary haemocyte culture of Penaeus monodon in the assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of heavy metals and pesticides

“…Among the impurities are malaoxon formed from malathion by oxidation and isomalathion formed by isomerisation (Berkman et al, 1993). Malaoxon and isomalathion have been reported to be mutagenic (Flessel et al, 1993;Pluth et al, 1996;Blasiak et al, 1999). These two compounds also could contribute to the genotoxicity of malathion.…”