Page 251 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

MALATHION 241
Reactivity with Common Materials: Contact with wood, paper, oils, grease, or finely divided metals
may cause fires and explosions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acih and
Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of PoZymerization: Not pertinent.

MALATHION
Chemical Designations - Synonym: CYTHION Insecticide; S-[ 1,2-Bis(ethoxycarbonyl) ethyl]; 0,O-
dimethyl phosphorodithioate; Chemical Formula: C,&,06PS,.
Observable Characteristics -Physical State (as shipped): Liquid; Color: Yellow to dark brown; Odor:
Characteristic skunkdike mercaptan.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 "c and I atm. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
330.36; Boiling Point at I atm.: Very high; Freezing Point: 37,2.9,276; Critical Temperature: Not
pertinent; cn'tical Pressure: Not pertinent; Specific Gravity: 1.234 at 20 "C (liquid); Vapor (Gas)
Specijic Gravity: Not pertinent; Ratio OfSpecijic Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not pertinent; Latent Heat of
Vaporization: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Data not available; Heat of Decomposition: Not
pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained
breathing apparatus (or respirator for organophosphate pesticides) and rubber clothing while fighting
fires of malathion with chlorine bleach solution. All clothing contaminated by fumes and vapors must
be decontaminated; Symptom Following Exposure: 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; General Treatment for Exposure: Speed is essential. INHALATION: in the non-
breathing victim immediately institute artificial respiration, using the mouth-to-mouth, the mouth-to-
nose, or the mouth-to-oropharyngeal method. Call physician! INGESTION: administer milk, water or
salt-water and induce vomiting repeatedly. SKIN OR EYE CONTACT: flood and wash exposed skin
areas thoroughly with water. Remove contaminated clothing under a shower. Administer atropine, 2
mg (1130 gr) intramuscularly or intravenously as soon as any local or systemic signs or symptoms of
an intoxication are noted; repeat the administration of atropine every 3-8 min. until signs of
atropinization (mydriasis, dry mouth, rapid pulse, hot and dry skin) occur; initiate treatment in children
with 1 mg of atropine. Watch respiration, and remove bronchial secretion if they appear to be
obstructing the airway; incubate if necessary. Give 2-PAM (Pralidoxime; Protopan), 2.5 gm in 100 ml
of sterile water or in 5% dextrose and water, intravenously, slowly, in 15-30 min.; if sufficient fluid
is not available, give 1 gm of 2-PAM in 3 ml of distilled water by deep intramuscular injection; repeat
this every half hour if respiration weakens or if muscle fasciculation or convulsions recur; Toxicity by
Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 10 mg/m3; Short-Tern Inhalation Limits: Data not available;
Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 2, LD,, 0.5 to 5 g/kg (rat); Lare Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor (Gas)
Irritant Characteristics: None likely; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: Minimum hazard. If
spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of skin; Odor Threshold:
Data not available.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point (deg. F): > 325; Flammable Limits in Air (A): Data not available; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, water spray; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not
To Be Used: Not pertinent; Special Hmrh @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; Ignition Temperature : Data not
available; Electrical Hazard: Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Data not available.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: None; Reactivity with Common Materials: No hazardous
reaction; Stability During Transport: Not pertinent; Neutralizing Agents for Acid and Caustics: Liquid
bleach solution for decontamination; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerizm'on: Not
pertinent.