12 People in Study Found With Traces of Malathion
A study has revealed that some people exposed to malathion show traces of the pesticide in their bodies and Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs said Thursday that the study should be made public.
The study was conducted in May and June by the county health services department. It released some results this week, saying that 12 of 75 people exposed to aerial spraying had a small amount of a malathion byproduct in their urine. Researchers said amounts were far below those believed to be toxic.
“I just think it defies logic that . . . it can be considered safe,” Wachs said.
The survey is based on tests of urine samples taken from residents of Los Angeles and Orange counties during the state’s 15-month campaign to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Health services spokeswoman Toby Staheli said the study is now in draft form and will be submitted in January for review by the state’s Public Health Effects Advisory Committee.
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