A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that malathion, the most popular organophosphate insecticide in the US, significantly increased the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show that at least 37 million (15 percent) adults in America have chronic kidney disease (CKD). More worryingly, 90 percent of people with CKD don't know they have the disease..

Chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney failure, causes damage to the kidneys and leads to loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter excess water and waste from your blood to make urine and keep your body working properly by balancing the salts and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium that circulate in your blood. In addition, the kidneys produce hormones that help control blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and strengthen bones..

Over time, kidney disease can get worse and cause kidney failure.. If your kidneys are failing, you will need lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant to keep you healthy. If you have CKD, your kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood properly. This damage can lead to a buildup of waste products in the body, leading to health problems such as heart disease, high blood potassium levels, pulmonary edema, seizures, and permanent kidney damage..

Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney disease are often asymptomatic, and some cases often go unnoticed until it's too late.. More advanced kidney disease can cause symptoms such as chest pain, confusion, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, shortness of breath, frequent or frequent urination, and vomiting. CKD can also progress to end stage kidney disease, which is fatal unless you get dialysis or a kidney transplant..

Exposure to malathion may increase risk of chronic kidney disease by 25 percent.

In a study, researchers examined the effects of pesticides on kidney health in the US population.. They worked with over 41,000 members. The researchers also analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). Data from animal studies have previously shown that exposure to malathion increases markers of kidney damage such as serum creatinine and urea levels.. Meanwhile, results from human studies have shown that malathion is associated with kidney damage..

The researchers also wanted to learn more about the rising incidence of unexplained chronic kidney disease in tropical countries.. Although conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and aging are major contributors to the development of CKD, international researchers have observed an increase in cases of CKD without a known cause, especially among agricultural workers in poor areas of India and Sri Lanka.. They speculated that environmental toxins such as pesticides might be involved.. The research team then set about determining the possible effects of pesticides on the kidney health of study participants..

Study co-author Nicholas Osborne, associate professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland, says: “There is evidence of changes in kidney function in people exposed to malathion.. Malathion Undoubtedly Increases the Risk of Low Kidney Function in the Population. The results of the study showed that exposure to malathion was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of CKD in the United States by 25 percent.”.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified malathion as a “probable carcinogen,” and animal studies have linked the pesticide to birth defects and certain cancers.. Plus, it can also be an endocrine disruptor.. Experts suggest that malathion and other organophosphate pesticides are harmful because they reduce the metabolism of glutathione, your body's most important natural antioxidant.. This can then cause increased oxidative stress and disease..

Although classified as a probable carcinogen, malathion is licensed for agricultural and domestic use on fruits and vegetables.. Malathion is also used to control mosquitoes in recreation areas and as a household pesticide to control ants.. You can also be exposed to malathion if you use products used to treat fleas and ticks on pets, as well as some lice medications..

High exposure to malathion can cause the following short-term effects: palpitations, blurred vision, seizures, diarrhea, dizziness, excessive sweating, headaches, nausea.

Small amounts of malathion used to control mosquitoes probably won't affect humans, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).. However, Osborne warned that chronic exposure to pesticides at very low doses could still cause health problems..

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