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Malathion

CAS 121-75-5

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What it is + why it's regulated

Malathion is a synthetic chemical used as an insecticide in agriculture, residential gardens, and public health programs to control mosquitoes and other pests. It works by disrupting the nervous system of insects. California's Proposition 65 program listed malathion on October 27, 2017, because it is classified as a carcinogen, meaning it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer with long-term or high-level exposure. This regulation is based on scientific evidence from studies in animals and some human data, though it does not mean that casual contact causes cancer. The listing helps people make informed choices about products they use. You can find malathion in some pesticides, flea treatments for pets, and lice shampoos. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) oversees this list to protect public health. For more details, visit the official Proposition 65 list at https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list. This summary draws on public regulatory data; the linked source is authoritative.

Pesticide usage across the EU

Used as: Organophosphorus Insecticides  ·  Category: Insecticides based on organophosphates
Estimated EU emissions: 3.5 tonnes across 29 reporting countries.
Top applications: olives (2.0 t), vines (1.3 t), arable crops (0.3 t).
Reporting countries: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, UK

Source: Joint Research Centre, European Commission — "Emissions of pesticide active substances in the EU". data.europa.eu. Re-used under the European Commission reuse notice. Estimates only; consult the primary register for definitive values.

Authoritative source

Issuing body: California Proposition 65
Primary register: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list

Always verify each fact at the primary register before acting on it.

What this is NOT

ProductGuru is an INDEX of public regulatory data, not a primary source. This page is not medical, occupational-health, or legal advice. Every claim above is drawn from the issuing-agency register linked. Inclusion in our index is not endorsement, condemnation, or hazard assessment.

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