Malathion

[Joseph R Parrish Jr <JoeParrish@compuserve.com>]

Does this look like something that should be sprayed over 
six million people?
Joe Parrish
NY/NJ Environmental Watch
New York City

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE FACT SHEET

Common Name: MALATHION
CAS Number: 121-75-5
DOT Number: NA 2783
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Malathion can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* Malathion may cause mutations. Handle with extreme
caution.
* Contact can irritate the eyes.
* Exposure can cause severe organophosphate poisoning
with headache, sweating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea
and death.
* High or repeated exposure may damage the nerves.
IDENTIFICATION
Malathion is a yellow to deep brown liquid with a skunk-like
odor. It is an organophosphate insecticide available as
wettable powders, liquid concentrates, dusts and aerosols.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Malathion is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, HHAG,
NIOSH and EPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance
List because it is a MUTAGEN.
* Definitions are provided on page 5.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING
EXPOSED
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers
to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public
employers to provide their employees with information and
training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The
federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200,
requires private employers to provide similar training and
information to their employees.
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area
air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results
from your employer. You have a legal right to this
information under OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
RTK Substance number: 1150
Date: March 1989 Revision: April 1997
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WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit
(PEL) is 15 mg/m 3 averaged over an 8-hour
workshift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
15 mg/m 3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
10 mg/m 3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When
skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even
though air levels are less than the limits listed above.
* Malathion may cause mutations. All contact with this
chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to
Malathion and at the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
effort, communicate all information on the health and
safety hazards of Malathion to potentially exposed
workers.