malathion

American  

[mal-uh-thahy-on, ‑uhn] / ˌmæl əˈθaɪ ɒn, ‑ən /

noun

1. an organic phosphate insecticide, C 10 H 19 O 6 S 2 P, of relatively low toxicity for mammals.

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Malathion British  

/ ˌmæləˈθaɪɒn /

noun

1. a yellow organophosphorus insecticide used as a dust or mist for the control of house flies and garden pests. Formula: C 10 H 19 O 6 PS 2

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Etymology

Origin of malathion

First recorded in 1953

Example Sentences

A woman driving her 5-day-old Nissan Maxima was caught in a malathion shower on her way home to Rowland Heights, where her equally new car cover awaited.

From Los Angeles Times

He was hit by the malathion, his lawsuit claimed, and went blind.

From Los Angeles Times

As for malathion, a 2000 federal review found it posed no threat to people when used correctly.

From Los Angeles Times

But in 2013, the feds decided that the pesticide family that includes malathion was indeed dangerous — even toxic — to many species of fish, plants, insects and animals, including the Mississippi sandhill crane and bees.

From Los Angeles Times

PBS reported that the EPA eventually threw in the towel, backtracking on its conclusion that malathion can imperil all manner of species, in exchange for a promise from pesticide makers to change their labels to exhort consumers to be more careful when they use it.

From Los Angeles Times