Light micrograph (LM) of Malathion (insecticide) crystals. Malathion is an organophosphate, parasympathomimetic pesticide which binds irreversibly to
Light micrograph (LM) of Malathion (insecticide) crystals. Malathion is an organophosphate, parasympathomimetic pesticide which binds irreversibly to cholinesterase. It is an insecticide of relatively low human toxicity. In 1976, numerous malaria workers in Pakistan were poisoned by isomalathion, a common impurity in malathion, which is capable of inhibiting carboxyesterase enzymes in those exposed. It has been used in large pest eradication programs in Florida, Texas, and California. Malathion is used as a treatment for head lice and body lice. It effectively kills both the eggs and the adult lice. Malathion was sprayed in many cities to combat West Nile virus. In the Fall of 1999 and the Spring of 2000, Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City were sprayed with malathion. Use of the insecticide has been blamed for large lobster die-off in Long Island Sound. Magnification: x60 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.
Size: 3642px × 2399px
Photo credit: © DENNIS KUNKEL MICROSCOPY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 891019-26, binding, carboxyesterase, cholinesterase, colored, coloured, control, crystal, crystals, eradication, false-colored, false-coloured, insecticide, isomalathion, light, lm, malathion, micrograph, organophosphate, parasympathomimetic, pest, pesticide
