Is Malathion safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are acutely vulnerable to Malathion due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What is malathion?
The IUPAC name is diethyl 2-dimethoxyphosphinothioylsulfanylbutanedioate.
Also known as: diethyl 2-dimethoxyphosphinothioylsulfanylbutanedioate, Carbophos, Carbofos, Mercaptothion.
- IUPAC name
- diethyl 2-dimethoxyphosphinothioylsulfanylbutanedioate
- CAS number
- 121-75-5
- Molecular formula
- C10H19O6PS2
- Molecular weight
- 330.4 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCOC(=O)CC(C(=O)OCC)SP(=S)(OC)OC
- PubChem CID
- 4004
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are acutely vulnerable to Malathion due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Elevated riskPrenatal exposure to Malathion is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. Organophosphate/carbamate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which plays a role in fetal brain development.
Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.
Regulatory consensus
15 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Malathion. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2015 | Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) | IARC Monograph 112 (2015). Limited evidence in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma; sufficient evidence in experimental animals. One of the most controversial IARC reclassifications; spawned significant public debate given widespread consumer use in home insect control and public health spraying programs (West Nile, Zika). |
| US EPA | 2009 | suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity, but not sufficient to assess human carcinogenic potential | EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) 2009; EPA did not classify malathion as carcinogenic under current cancer guidelines. EPA continues to permit use in food and non-food settings with established tolerances. Regulatory disagreement with IARC Group 2A classification reflects different weight-of-evidence frameworks. |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity but Not Sufficient to Assess Human Carcinogenic Potential | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 4 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 4 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3B (Category 3) (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 6.5B (Category 1) (score: moderate) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter malathion
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Malathion:
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: Variable; lower long-term
Frequently asked questions
Is malathion safe for kids?
Infants are acutely vulnerable to Malathion due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What products contain malathion?
Malathion appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to malathion?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about malathion?
Malathion has been classified by 15 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / CalEPA, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Malathion in the baby app
Look up products containing malathion, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (4)
- IARC Monographs Volume 112: Malathion and Diazinon (2015) — regulatory
- US EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Malathion (2009) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Malathion (2003) — report
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Organophosphate Toxicosis in Companion Animals (2018) — report
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →