Sci 275

Risk Assessment of Malathion

Loretta Baldini

Axia College

Risk Assessment of Malathion

The West Nile Virus (WNV) threatens our local economy as well as the lives of our citizens and visitors. A chemical called Malathion has been brought to the attention of the city on whether or not we should use this chemical in the fight against the virus. This chemical is designed to kill the mosquitoes in the area to help rid our city of possible cases of WNV. As the final city council member to vote on this issue, I have dedicated my time to researching both arguments and counterarguments of this chemical. Before we are to bring any type of chemical into our city, we have to do a risk assessment of the chemical. This also includes determining if the chemical is the proper solution for the safety of our community.

One of the first risk assessments that I have looked at is the hazard identification. This is to determine whether or not the chemical Malathion is proven to harm humans and cause long term health effects. Although Malathion is a health risk to humans, the effects are minor. Opponents suggest that accidental ingesting of the chemical can occur without proper education. Although this suggestion is partially true, the results of ingesting this chemical can include; abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (PAN Pesticides Database, 2009). Also the risk of cancer of this chemical has yet to be undetermined. Therefore, the first risk assessment proves that the use of the chemical outweighs the minor health risks.

The second risk assessment to be considered is the dose-response assessment. This is to determine the health risks based on the amount of exposure that an individual receives. After reviewing the symptoms of the chemical, minor to moderate inhalation of Malathion can result in; dizziness, sweating, labored breathing, unconsciousness, papillary constriction (PAN Pesticides Database, 2009). Those who are exposed to the chemical at...