Genetic toxicity of malathion: A review

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850220104· OSTI ID:7198898

Flessel, P; Quintana, P J.E.; Hooper, K ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)

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. 72 refs., 4 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 7198898
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (United States) Vol. 22:1; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ESTERS
GENE MUTATIONS
INDUCTION
INSECTICIDES
MALATHION
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
REVIEWS
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
THIOLS
TOXICITY