Warning about malathion and malaoxin

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

We continue to warn about the disasterous effects of spraying 
the huge population of New York City with malathion and its 
deadly contaminant, malaoxin.  The material, originally used 
for head lice, is seen as some sort of miraculous agent for 
the elimination of a specific type of mosquito.  However,
repeated spraying does not seem to have stemmed the 
spread of the insect or of the encephalitis infection.  The 
chemical malathion is listed in the National Institute of 
Occupational Health and Safety's Pocket Guide to Chemical 
Hazards.  Malaoxin, a known contaminant in malathion, is 
40 to 50 times more potent as a toxin than malathion itself 
and has been found in the water system of  Tampa, Florida,
after malathion was sprayed there.  Malathion, a cholinesterase 
inhibitor, which prevents the transmission of nerve signals,
is in the category of nerve gases which have been developed 
for warfare.  Malathion is listed in the Merck Index with the 
following "Caution": miosis/excessive contraction of the pupils 
of the eyes, aching eyes, blurred vision and lacrimation/tearing 
of the eyes, eye and skin irritation, salivation, anorexia, nausea, 
vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, giddiness, confusion 
and ataxia/inability to coordinate movement of muscles, 
rhinorrhea, inflammation of nose and sinuses, headache,
tightening of chest, wheezing and laryngeal/throat  and 
trachea spasms.  The public has not been  warned of these 
toxic effects, and the mayor has called malathion "perfectly safe" 
in a television interview.  This is misleading information that 
is not helpful for the public or medical community that has to interact  
with the affected population of seven million.  Specific sensitive 
populations such as asthmatics, people with emphysema, 
children and adults with muscular disorders, and others have not 
been adequately warned.  Repeated written queries to the EPA have 
led only to the receipt of the general switchboard telephone number, 
and no commitment to written comment whatsoever.
This is an outrage which should be stopped immediately.
The Rev. Joe Parrish, Ph.D.  
NY/NJ Environmental Watch
300 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
and
St. John's Church
61 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
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