Final answer:
Mammals are generally protected from malathion due to their different metabolism, which can detoxify these pesticides at proper doses, but caution is still needed due to risks at high exposures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mammals are "protected" from malathion, which is a kind of organophosphate insecticide, due to differences in metabolism compared to insects. While these insecticides are designed to target the nervous systems of insects, the metabolic processes in mammals can handle these substances at proper doses without significant harm. However, there is still a considerable concern about the long-term exposure to these chemicals by farm workers and animals, as at high enough doses, acute toxicity and death can occur through the same mechanism as in insects. The metabolism of mammals includes enzymes capable of detoxifying small amounts of these pesticides, which contributes to their protection. However, it is important to note that organophosphate pesticide poisoning remains a major problem, especially in developing countries where safety measures may not be adequately enforced.