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Carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of malathion and its two analogues: a systematic review

Priscilla Luna Bastos1, Alyne Fernanda Tôrres de Lima Bastos1, Aline do Monte Gurgel2

  • 1Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Pernambuco. R. Dona Maria Augusta Nogueira 519, Bongi. 50751-530 Recife PE Brasil. prilunab@gmail.com.

Ciencia & Saude Coletiva
|August 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Malathion, a probable human carcinogen, shows evidence of causing genetic damage and increasing cancer risk in women. Its use in arbovirus control warrants careful consideration due to these findings.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Carcinogenesis Research
  • Public Health Entomology

Background:

  • Malathion is a widely used insecticide in global arbovirus control programs.
  • The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified malathion as a probable human carcinogen in 2015.
  • Concerns exist regarding the carcinogenic and mutagenic potential of malathion and its analogs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize existing scientific evidence on the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of malathion exposure.
  • To evaluate data on malathion's analogs, specifically malaoxon and isomalathion.
  • To inform public health policies regarding the use of malathion in vector control.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search conducted in Toxline, PubMed, and Scopus databases.
  • Inclusion of original research papers published between 1983 and 2015.
  • Selection of 73 relevant studies from an initial pool of 273 eligible papers.

Main Results:

  • In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that malathion primarily induces genetic and chromosomal damage.
  • Epidemiological studies revealed significant positive associations between malathion exposure and increased risk of thyroid, breast, and ovarian cancers in menopausal women.
  • Evidence suggests a link between malathion exposure and specific human cancers.

Conclusions:

  • The compiled evidence highlights the carcinogenic effects of malathion.
  • Findings underscore the need to reassess the risks versus benefits of using malathion in arbovirus control programs.
  • Further investigation into malathion's long-term health impacts is warranted.

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