Nancy Robitaille Malathion is  often recommended for use on pests of African Violets.  However, health research shows MALATHION to be a deadly chemical.  Malathion, whose complete chemical name is Dimethoxy Phosphino Thioyl Thio Butanedioic Acid Diethyl Ester, has been proven as a killer both of animals and of humans.  It affects the nervous system of all organisms that it comes in contact with, to varying degrees.  Medical research by Wayne Sinclair, MD at U. of Florida and U. of Southern Florida Medical Libraries is cited in all instances of this report.  Please refer to: http://www.chemtox.com/malathion/research/#human Dr. Sinclair shows that contrary to what is told to the public by the Agriculture Industry and some governmental agencies, Malathion—even at low levels—is a harmful chemical. There have been human deaths as well as animal deaths because of Malathion.  In 1978, in Pakistan, a malaria eradication program took place which used 7,500 men to spray the country.  Of that number, 2,800 became poisoned and 5  died because of the inadequate storage of malathion which resulted in isomalathion being produced and this was found to be the deadly killer. This happened long ago and possibly the men had not dressed appropriately for spraying the deadly fumes.  Nonetheless, the chemical did affect these men—some permanently!   If you are like me, you are not thinking of the importance of dressing for spraying a deadly chemical when trying to rid your collection of the bugs this chemical can kill.  I wear rubber gloves and glasses.  That’s it! After spraying I can taste a metallic, coppery taste as if you had put copper pennies in your mouth as we used to do when children.  We need to be using a mask with a breathing filter for chemicals as well.  This report got my attention! Dr. Sinclair’s paper shows that in 1992 in California, cases of intestinal disorders in children born after the spraying there came to the attention of the medical staff.  Animal research shows that genetic defects and abnormal growth of cells occur after exposure to Malathion. Child Leukemia and Aplastic Anemia after malathion exposure in 1981 is cited. The immune system weakens after exposure to the chemical. It seems malathion becomes more toxic when stored for three months or when temperature increases above 77 degrees farenheit. How long is this product stored on the shelves of the companies where we buy it?  It is not something that is used everyday.  We use this perhaps once a year.  Malathion also becomes a more dangerous product when chemical reaction in sunlight is produced.  This reaction is called “photolysic." An all-out war against bugs that need Malathion and similar products for eradication should be waged.  If everyone got rid of the bugs there would be no need to use the products any more. We should try to rid ourselves of pests by using non-chemical means if at all possible. Who knows what we are doing to ourselves, our families, our pets when using these oh-so-innocent-looking chemicals.  Is saving a plant or two worth the chance you are taking? Back to Members Page page design by Alana