toxicological profile for malathion - Agency for Toxic Substances and ...

MALATHION 10
1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT
Regulations and recommendations can be expressed in not-to-exceed levels in air, water, soil, or
food that are usually based on levels that affect animals; then they are adjusted to help protect
people. Sometimes these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations because of
different exposure times (an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), the use of different animal
studies, or other factors.
Recommendations and regulations are also periodically updated as more information becomes
available. For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that
provides it. Some regulations and recommendations for malathion include the following:
OSHA has established an exposure limit for malathion in the workplace of 15 milligrams per
cubic meter (mg/m 3 ), for an 8-hour workday, 40 hours per week. NIOSH recommends that
workers not be exposed to more than 10 mg/m 3 of malathion for a 10-hour workday, 40 hours
per workweek. NIOSH also recommends that a level of 250 mg/m 3 of malathion in the air be
considered as immediately dangerous to life and health.
According to EPA, the following levels of malathion in drinking water are not expected to cause
effects that are harmful to health: 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for 1 day, 10 days, or longerterm
exposure for children, and 0.1 mg/L for lifetime exposure of adults.
EPA also has set maximum levels of malathion residues in meat and dairy products, vegetables,
fruits, tree nuts, cereal grains, and grass forage, fodder, and hay. Individual values are listed in
Table 8-1.
EPA requires notification to the Agency of spills or accidental releases of 100 pounds or more of
malathion to the environment. For more information on regulations and guidelines applicable to
malathion, see Chapter 8.
1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or
environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below.