Working environment factors
How does Fenarimol affect workers’ health?
May
Fenarimol, a common fungicide, poses potential health risks to workers in production environments using this chemical. This article will provide detailed information on the negative effects of Fenarimol and propose essential health protection measures for workers.
1. What is Fenarimol?
Fenarimol is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C17H12Cl2N2O. It belongs to the group of compounds called imidazole fungicides. Fungicides are used to prevent and kill fungi that harm crops, livestock, and humans. Fenarimol works by inhibiting the growth of fungi by interfering with the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Fenarimol | Fenarimol | 29062900 | 60168-88-9 | C17H12Cl2N2O |
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2. Where does Fenarimol originate from in the production process?
Fenarimol can appear in agricultural products from various stages during the production process. Here are some main sources of Fenarimol:
- Use of pesticides: Fenarimol is the main active ingredient in some fungicides used to control diseases in crops. If farmers use pesticides containing Fenarimol improperly, chemical residues can adhere to the surface of agricultural products, causing contamination and affecting consumer health.
- Post-harvest pest control: Fenarimol is also used in some post-harvest preservation products to prevent mold growth on fruits and vegetables. However, using incorrect dosages or specified times can leave Fenarimol residues on the peel and affect product quality.
- Environmental contamination: Fenarimol can persist in soil and water for a certain period. If irrigation water is contaminated with Fenarimol from agricultural activities or other sources, it can be absorbed by plants and accumulate in agricultural products.
- Animal feed: In some cases, Fenarimol is used in animal feed to prevent mold. If Fenarimol residues exist in the feed and are consumed by livestock, it can accumulate in animal products such as meat, eggs, milk, and enter the food chain, posing a risk to human health.
Therefore, to limit Fenarimol contamination in agricultural products, it is necessary to implement strict management measures for pesticide use, adhering to regulations on withholding periods and dosages. At the same time, solutions are needed to treat and recycle excess pesticides to avoid environmental pollution.
3. Industries that use Fenarimol in production
Fenarimol is used in various industries, but mainly focuses on agriculture and post-harvest preservation:
- Crop cultivation: Fenarimol is an active ingredient in some fungicides used to control diseases on many types of crops such as: vegetables, tubers, fruits, fruit trees, industrial crops (tea, coffee, rubber…). Fenarimol is effective in controlling fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, scab, and anthracnose, helping to protect crop yield and quality.
- Post-harvest preservation: Fenarimol is used in some post-harvest preservation products for fruits and vegetables. By preventing mold growth on the peel, Fenarimol helps extend storage time and limit spoilage, ensuring the quality of agricultural products reaches consumers.
In addition, Fenarimol is also used in some other industries to limit mold, but in smaller quantities compared to the agricultural sector, such as:
- Pharmaceutical industry: Fenarimol may be present in some medications for fungal skin diseases.
- Cosmetics industry: Fenarimol is sometimes used in some cosmetic products to limit mold, but attention must be paid to safe concentrations to avoid skin irritation.
4. How does Fenarimol affect workers?
Fenarimol is classified as moderately hazardous by the WHO (World Health Organization). If workers are exposed to Fenarimol for long periods without appropriate protective measures, they may experience health effects such as:
- Skin irritation: Fenarimol can cause skin irritation upon direct contact, manifesting as redness, itching, and discomfort. In severe cases, it can cause dermatitis or blistering.
- Eye irritation: If it comes into contact with the eyes, Fenarimol can cause eye irritation, leading to redness, itching, tearing, and pain.
- Respiratory problems: Workers who inhale Fenarimol dust during mixing, spraying, or contact with Fenarimol residues on crops may experience respiratory problems such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and lung irritation.
- Fenarimol poisoning: Fenarimol poisoning can occur from accidentally ingesting the pesticide or through skin absorption over a long period. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and diarrhea. In severe cases, Fenarimol poisoning can affect the central nervous system and cause serious health problems.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Fenarimol for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of Fenarimol for human exposure is regulated by reputable health organizations such as the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and the WHO (World Health Organization). This concentration is called the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) – the amount of Fenarimol that can be ingested daily and is considered safe for human health over the long term.
According to the FAO and WHO, the ADI for Fenarimol is 0.02 mg/kg of body weight per day. This means an adult with an average weight of 60kg can be exposed to no more than 1.2mg of Fenarimol per day, which is considered safe.
However, the safe concentration of Fenarimol also depends on many other factors, such as:
- Individual constitution: People with poor health, children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women may be more sensitive to Fenarimol and need to limit exposure to lower levels.
- Form of exposure: Skin contact is different from inhalation or accidental ingestion. Each form of exposure will have a different safety level.
- Duration of exposure: Short-term exposure to Fenarimol is different from regular and long-term exposure.
To ensure safety, it is best to minimize exposure to Fenarimol. Workers in the agricultural sector and related individuals must strictly adhere to regulations on pesticide use, wear protective clothing, and take poisoning prevention measures.
Basically, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Fenarimol. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide safety guidelines and principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Fenarimol on workers’ health
Fenarimol is an effective active ingredient in controlling mold but also poses risks to workers’ health if not used correctly. To minimize these effects, preventive measures must be taken from the selection, use, and storage of Fenarimol:
- Choose reputable pesticides containing Fenarimol: Prioritize using pesticides produced by reputable companies, with clear origins, and quality-tested by authorities. These pesticides usually have higher purity, reducing the risk of impurities affecting health.
- Use Fenarimol according to instructions: Always read the instructions on the pesticide packaging carefully before mixing and spraying. This helps workers understand the recommended dosage, withholding period, and important notes to ensure effective disease control while remaining safe for health.
- Equip fully with protective clothing: When mixing, spraying, or coming into contact with Fenarimol, workers must wear specialized occupational protective clothing such as: coveralls, hoods, standard masks (N95 or higher), boots, and rubber gloves. Protective clothing helps prevent direct skin contact with Fenarimol.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke when in contact with Fenarimol: Absolutely do not eat, drink, or smoke while mixing or spraying pesticides. Cover your mouth when mixing pesticides to avoid inhaling Fenarimol dust. After using pesticides, wash hands and feet thoroughly with soap before eating or drinking.
- Practice proper personal hygiene: After finishing work, remove protective clothing and wash it separately to prevent Fenarimol from spreading to everyday clothes. Bathe thoroughly with soap to completely remove Fenarimol residues from the skin.
- Store pesticides correctly: Pesticides in general, and Fenarimol in particular, need to be stored in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight. Ensure the pesticide packaging is intact, not torn or broken, to prevent the pesticide from leaking or absorbing moisture.
- Do not reuse pesticide containers: Used pesticide bottles and containers often have Fenarimol residues. Absolutely do not reuse these containers to store drinking water or other items, to avoid poisoning from Fenarimol contamination.
- Regular health check-ups: Workers frequently exposed to Fenarimol should have regular health check-ups to monitor their health status. This helps in the early detection of abnormal signs related to Fenarimol poisoning and allows for timely treatment.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, applying advanced farming techniques and using disease-resistant crop varieties also contribute to reducing the need for pesticides, including Fenarimol, helping to protect workers’ health and environmental safety.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide workplace environment monitoring center
Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment in all provinces and cities in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports customers in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in technology, engineering, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following goals:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable things possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise, we desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation list for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation list provides detailed price information for the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation list, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
