Malathion overview.
Name (Merck Index): Malathion
Used for control of: Mosquitos, fleas and body lice, and a wide range of plant pests
Trade names: Cekumal, Cythion, Fyfanon, Hilthion, Lucathion, Malamar 50, Malaspray, Malathane, Malatox, Malixol, Maltox, MLT, Prioderm, White Star
Available for distribution as: Dispersible powder, emulsifiable concentrate, ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid, wettable powder
Manufacturers:

Originally manufactured by American Cyanamid Co. but no longer manufactured in the United States. Now manufactured mainly in Mexico and India by:
Risk to humans and mammals: Toxicity for all mammals tested is very low. Malathion is widely used in public health programs to control mosquitos, parasites and insects in stored grain.
Risk and Hazard Warnings
  • Harmful if swallowed
  • Avoid contact with skin
  • Keep out of reach of children
Warning Symbols
First Aid for Accidental Exposure Thoroughly rinse contaminated areas, especially face and mouth with copious amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing. Malathion toxicity is low and urgent action is not needed, but the victim should see a physician as soon as is reasonable.
Risk to other animals: Low toxicity for birds; toxic to fish and to some beneficial insects (bees).
Risk to plants: Generally not a hazard, except to some greenhouse crops.
Other comments: Malathion kills by contact and is not a systemic insecticide. This means that it must be applied more often to infected areas than systemic agents.
Chemical Structure:
Chemical Abstracts name: Diethyl[(dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)thio]butanedioate
Registry number
(CAS#)		 121-75-5
IUPAC name Diethyl[dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)thio]butanedioate
RTECS number WM8400000
Chemical properties: Stable in neutral aqueous solution and decomposes in acid or especially alkaline conditions.
Other trivial names carbofos, malathon, mercaptothion, phosphothion
Pesticides can only be regarded as safe if used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.