Malathion poisoning
Carbofos poisoning; Compound 4049 poisoning; Cythion poisoning; Fosfothion poisoning; Mercaptothion poisoningMalathion is an insecticide, a product used to kill or control bugs. Poisoning may occur if you swallow malathion, handle it without gloves, or do not wash your hands soon after touching it. Large amounts can be absorbed through the skin.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Poisonous Ingredient
Malathion is the poisonous ingredient in these products.
Where Found
Malathion is used in agriculture to kill and control insects on crops and in gardens. The government also uses it to kill mosquitoes in large outdoor areas.
Kill and control insects
Insecticide is a chemical that kills bugs. Insecticide poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in this substance or it is absorbed throug...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMalathion may also be found in certain products used to kill head lice.
Symptoms
Below are symptoms of malathion poisoning in different parts of the body.
AIRWAYS AND LUNGS
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Increased airway secretions or mucus
- No breathing
BLADDER AND KIDNEYS
- Increased urination
Increased urination
Excessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inability to control urine flow (incontinence)
EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
- Increased salivation
- Increased tears in the eyes
Increased tears in the eyes
Watery eyes means you have too many tears draining from the eyes. Tears help keep the surface of the eye moist. They wash away particles and foreig...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Small pupils
- In some cases, pupils may be dilated and do not react to light
HEART AND BLOOD
- Low or high blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- In some cases, heart rate may be rapid
- Weakness
NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Agitation
- Anxiety
Anxiety
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Coma
Coma
Decreased alertness is the most severe state of reduced awareness and is a serious condition. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a p...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Confusion
- Convulsions
Convulsions
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Dizziness
Dizziness
Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Headache
- Muscle twitching
SKIN
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Sweating
STOMACH AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
Home Care
Call the poison control center for treatment information. If malathion is on the skin, wash the area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes.
Throw away all contaminated clothing. Follow instructions from the appropriate agencies for getting rid of hazardous waste. Wear protective gloves when touching contaminated clothing.
Before Calling Emergency
Have this information ready:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
Poison Control
Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. They will give you further instructions.
Poison Help hotline
For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThis is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
People with malathion poisoning will likely be treated by first responders (firefighters, paramedics) who arrive when you call your local emergency number. These responders will decontaminate the person by removing the person's clothes and washing them down with water. The responders will wear protective gear. If the person is not decontaminated before getting to the hospital, emergency room personnel will decontaminate the person and provide other treatment.
The health care provider at the hospital will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:
- Blood and urine tests
- Oxygen
- Breathing support, including tube through the mouth and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
- Chest x-ray
- CT (computerized tomography) scan (advanced brain imaging)
- ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)
- Intravenous fluids (fluids given through a vein)
- Medicine to reverse the effects of the poison, which may include atropine or pralidoxime
- Tube placed down the nose and into the stomach (sometimes)
- Washing of the skin (irrigation) and eyes, perhaps every few hours for several days
Outlook (Prognosis)
People who continue to improve in the first 4 to 6 hours after receiving medical treatment usually recover. Prolonged treatment often is needed to reverse the poisoning. This may include staying in the hospital intensive care unit and getting long-term therapy. Some effects of the poison may last for weeks or months, or even longer.
Keep all chemicals, cleaners, and industrial products in their original containers and marked as poison, and out of the reach of children. This will reduce the risk of poisoning and overdose.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Toxicological Profile for Malathion. wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxProfiles/ToxProfiles.aspx?id=522&tid=92. Reviewed March 20, 2014. Accessed August 25, 2021.
Mofenson HC, Caraccio TR, McGuigan M, Greensher J. Medical toxicology. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier 2022:1372-1425.
Welker K, Thompson TM. Pesticides. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 157.
Review Date: 5/17/2021
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.