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Chemical Datasheet

MALATHION

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 121-75-5
  • 3018
  • Poison
  • MLT
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Malathion
  • MALATHION
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Yellow to dark-brown liquid with a skunk-like odor. Sinks in water. Freezing point is 37°F. (USCG, 1999)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Vapors and fumes from fires are hazardous. They include sulfur dioxide and phosphoric acid.

Behavior in Fire: Gives off hazardous fumes. Area surrounding fire should be diked to prevent water runoff. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Exposure to fumes from a fire or to liquid causes headache, blurred vision, constricted pupils of the eyes, weakness, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and tightness in the chest. Muscles twitch and convulsions may follow. The symptoms may develop over a period of 8 hours. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
MALATHION is a yellow to brown liquid that solidifies at 2.9°C, moderately toxic. Organic phosphate insecticide, acts as an inhibitor of cholinesterase. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur and phosphorus [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 789].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, foam (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Liquid bleach solution for decontamination. (USCG, 1999)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Malathion:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Malathion 121-75-5 Liquid >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, administer a slurry of activated charcoal in water and simultaneously call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C10H19O6PS2
Flash Point: greater than 325°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 37.1°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 4e-05 mmHg at 86°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.234 at 77°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 313 to 315°F at 0.7 mmHg (decomposes) (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 330.36 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70.7°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 250 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Malathion (121-75-5)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 15 mg/m3 150 mg/m3 500 mg/m3
30 minutes 15 mg/m3 150 mg/m3 500 mg/m3
60 minutes 15 mg/m3 120 mg/m3 390 mg/m3
4 hours 15 mg/m3 77 mg/m3 250 mg/m3
8 hours 15 mg/m3 50 mg/m3 140 mg/m3
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Malathion (121-75-5) 15 mg/m3 120 mg/m3 390 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Malathion 121-75-5 100 pounds 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names