Substance profile
Malathion
Malathion is a colorless or slightly yellow with a skunk-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Malathion is
Malathion is a colorless or slightly yellow with a skunk-like odor. It boils at 60 °C, melts at 3.9 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · Identifiers
Malathion identifiers and molecular data
Malathion CAS number and EC number
Other names for Malathion
- malathion (ISO)
- 1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate
- [containing ≤ 0.03 % isomalathion]
03 · GHS classification
Malathion hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Malathion pictograms and signal word
Malathion hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H410 | GHS09 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Malathion hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Malathion. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Malathion
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Malathion issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Malathion precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 12 precautionary statements to Malathion. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Malathion name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | малатион (ISO) [съдържащ ≤ 0,03 % изомалатион] 1,2-бис(етоксикарбонил)етилов O, O -диметилов фосфородитиоат |
| Spanish español | Malatión (ISO) [con ≤ 0,03 % de isomalatión] fosforoditioato de 1,2-bis(etoxicarbonil)etilo y O, O -dimetilo |
| Czech čeština | malathion (ISO) [obsahující ≤ 0,03 % isomalathionu] diethyl-[(dimethoxyfosforothioyl)sulfanyl]sukcinát |
| Danish dansk | malathion (ISO) [indeholdende ≤ 0,03 % isomalathion] 1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl- O, O- dimethylphosphordithioat |
| German Deutsch | Malathion (ISO) [Gehalt an Isomalathiongehalt ≤ 0,03 %] 1,2-Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-ethyl- O, O -dimethylphosphorodithioat |
| Estonian eesti | malatioon (ISO) [sisaldab ≤ 0,03 % isomalatiooni] 1,2-bis(etoksükarbonüül)etüül- O , O -dimetüülfosforoditioaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | malathion (μαλαθείο) (ISO) [που περιέχει ≤ 0,03 % ισομαλαθείο] διθειοφωσφορικό 1,2-δις(αιθοξυκαρβονυλ)αιθύλιο O, O -διμεθύλιο |
| English English | malathion (ISO) [containing ≤ 0,03 % isomalathion] 1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate |
| French français | malathion (ISO) [contenant ≤ 0,03 % d'isomalathion] phosphorodithioate de 1,2-bis(éthoxycarbonyl)éthyle et de O, O -diméthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | malation (ISO) [sadržava ≤ 0,03 % izomalationa] 1,2-bis(etoksikarbonil)-etil- O, O -dimetil-fosforoditioat |
| Italian italiano | malation (ISO) 1,2-bis(etossicarbonil)etil O, O-dimetil fosforoditioato [contenente ≤ 0,03 % isomalation] |
| Latvian latviešu | malations (ISO) [satur ≤ 0,03 % izomalationa] 1,2-bis(etoksikarbonil)etil- O, O -dimetilfosforditioāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | malationas (ISO) [kuriame yra ≤ 0,03 % izomalationo] 1,2-bis(etoksikarbonil)etil- O, O -dimetilditiofosfatas |
| Hungarian magyar | malation (ISO) [≤ 0,03 % izomalationt tartalmaz] 1,2-bisz(etoxikarbonil)etil- O, O -dimetil-ditiofoszfát |
| Maltese Malti | malatijon (ISO) [li fih ≤ 0,03 % isomalatijon] fosforoditijoat ta’ 1,2-bis(etossikarbonil)etil O, O -dimetil |
| Dutch Nederlands | malathion (ISO) [met ≤ 0,03 % isomalathion] 1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl- O , O -dimethyldithiofosfaat |
| Polish polski | malation (ISO) [zawierający ≤ 0,03 % izomalationu] ditiofosforan S-1,2-bis(etoksykarbonylo)etylo-O, O-dimetylu |
| Portuguese português | malatião (ISO) [≤0,03 % de isomalatião] O , O -dimetilditiofosfato de 1,2-bis(etoxicarbonil)etilo |
| Romanian română | malation (ISO) [conținând ≤ 0,03 % izomalation] ditiofosfat de 1,2-bis(etoxicarbonil)etil și de O, O -dimetil |
| Slovak slovenčina | malatión (ISO) [s obsahom ≤ 0,03 % izomalatiónu] S -[1,2-bis(etoxykarbonyl)etyl]- O, O -dimetyl- fosforoditioát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | malation (ISO) [vsebuje ≤ 0,03 % izomalationa] 1,2-bis(etoksikarbonil)etil O, O -dimetil fosforoditioat |
| Finnish suomi | malationi (ISO) [sisältää ≤ 0,03 % isomalationia] 1,2-bis(etoksikarbonyyli)etyyli- O, O -dimetyylifosforoditioaatti |
| Swedish svenska | malation (ISO) [innehållande ≤ 0,03 % isomalation] 1,2-bis(etoxikarbonyl)etyl- O, O -dimetylfosforditioat |
The part in square brackets is not an editorial comment. Annex VI Part 1 §1.1.1.4 makes a reference of that kind part of the name itself, which means it has to be printed on the label together with the name.
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Malathion GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Malathion, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Malathion
- Harmful if swallowed.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Malathion in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Malathion health hazards and exposure limits
Malathion hazard summary
Malathion is an insecticide that does not occur naturally. Pure malathion is a colorless liquid, and technical-grade malathion, which contains >90% malathion and impurities in a solvent, is a brownish-yellow liquid that smells like garlic. Malathion is used to kill insects on farm crops and in gardens, to treat lice on humans, and to treat fleas on pets. Malathion is also used to kill mosquitos and Mediterranean fruit flies on (medflies) in large outdoor areas.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Malathion carcinogenicity classification
Studied by the US National Toxicology Program: TR-192: Bioassay of Malathion for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 121-75-5) (1979 )
Cancer Classification: Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity, but Not Sufficient to Assess Human Carcinogenic Potential
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of malathion. Positive associations have been observed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cancer of the prostate. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of malathion. Malathion is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Malathion occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 15.0 [mg/m3], total dust | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 15 mg/m³ (total dust) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 15 mg/m3 [skin] See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 10 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 10 mg/m3 [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 250 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 250.0 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 250 mg/cu m | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Malathion properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Malathion boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 60 °C (140 °F) | decomposes | NIOSH |
| 156.5 °C (313.7 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 0.7 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
Malathion melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 3.85 °C (38.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2.78 °C (37 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 2.83 °C (37.1 °F) | CAMEO |
Malathion density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.2076 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.234 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
Malathion solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, benzene and ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| In water, 143 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Malathion vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.00004 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.0000397 mmHg | at 30 °C | HSDB |
Malathion flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 163 °C (325.4 °F) | ICSC | |
| 162.78 °C (325 °F) | above this value | HSDB |
Malathion lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F., but may be difficult to ignite. | NIOSH | |
| Above 100 °C, decomposes rapidly and explosion may be induced. | decomposes | HSDB |
Malathion vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 11.4 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Malathion odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 1.00 ppm (detection in water, purity not stated) | HSDB | |
| The odor threshold of malathion is very close (13.5 mg/cu m) to the OSHA PEL (15 mg/cu m) and may not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. | HSDB | ||
| Odor thresholds: 13.5 mg/cu m (low); 13.5 mg/cu m (high) | HSDB |
Malathion corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to iron and some other metals | HSDB | |
| Malathion will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings | HSDB | ||
| Corrosive to metals | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Malathion fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Malathion fire potential
Malathion is combustible but ignites with difficulty.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Solubility
Miscible with many organic solvents including alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers, aromatic and alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons and vegetable oils. Limited solubility in certain paraffin hydrocarbons
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Malathion storage and handling
Malathion safe storage
Store only in original packaging. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Malathion storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Malathion incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents. Corrodes metal.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Malathion reactivity
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].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Malathion in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Malathion — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Malathion?
The CAS number of Malathion is 121-75-5. Its EC number is 204-497-7.
What does a Malathion label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Malathion carries the pictograms Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Warning.
Is Malathion flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Malathion no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 163 °C (325.4 °F) (ICSC).
Is Malathion a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Malathion. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health. IARC places it in Group 2A: probably carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Malathion?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Malathion is 15.0 [mg/m3], total dust (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Malathion?
The boiling point reported for Malathion is 60 °C (140 °F), decomposes (NIOSH).
What is the melting point of Malathion?
The melting point reported for Malathion is 3.85 °C (38.9 °F) (HSDB).
How should Malathion be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
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