Working environment factors
How does Fenthion affect workers’ health?
May
Fenthion, a common pesticide, poses a serious risk to workers’ health when working in a production environment. This article will unveil the mystery of Fenthion’s potential harm and provide solutions to protect workers’ health. Join us to discover this important information to protect yourself and the community from this potential danger.
1. What is Fenthion?
Fenthion is an organic compound known by the chemical formula C10H15O3S2P. It belongs to the group of substances called organophosphates, commonly used as a pesticide. Fenthion works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in the insect’s nervous system, leading to paralysis and death.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Fenthion | Fenthion | 29309090 | 55-38-9 | C10H15O3S2P |
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2.Where does Fenthion originate from in the production process?
Fenthion can arise from various stages in the production process. Here are some main sources of generation:
- From raw materials: Impurities containing sulfur and phosphorus in the raw materials for Fenthion production can be converted into Fenthion during the reaction process.
- During synthesis: The chemical synthesis of Fenthion is not 100% complete and will always produce a small amount of unreacted Fenthion. This amount of Fenthion needs to be separated from the final product.
- Side reactions: During production, unwanted side reactions can occur, creating byproducts, which may include Fenthion.
- Cleaning equipment and pipes: Fenthion adhering to equipment and pipes during production needs to be washed off. This rinse water will contain Fenthion and must be treated properly to avoid discharge into the environment.
In addition, Fenthion can also arise from:
- Spills: If a Fenthion spill occurs during production, it will cause environmental pollution.
- Leaking packaging: Packaging containing Fenthion, if not stored properly, can leak, releasing Fenthion into the environment.
By identifying the main sources of Fenthion generation in the production process, manufacturers can apply appropriate control measures to minimize the amount of Fenthion released into the environment, protect public health, and protect the environment.
3. Industries that use Fenthion in production
Fenthion was once widely used in agricultural production worldwide. However, due to concerns about its effects on human health and the environment, the use of Fenthion is now restricted or completely banned in many countries.
Despite this, Fenthion is still used in certain industries, including:
- Pesticide production: Fenthion was once a common active ingredient in pesticide production, used to control insect pests on many different types of crops. However, as mentioned, the use of Fenthion in agriculture is being phased out.
- Veterinary medicine: Fenthion is used to prevent and treat external parasitic diseases on animals such as ticks, scabies, and fleas. However, the use of Fenthion in veterinary medicine is also being recommended for replacement with other, safer drugs.
- Wood preservation industry: Fenthion has anti-termite properties and was once used for wood preservation treatment. Today, wood preservation products that are safer for the environment and human health have been developed and are gradually replacing Fenthion.
- Public health: In the past, Fenthion was used to control mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever and malaria. However, due to its low effectiveness and risk of toxicity, Fenthion has been replaced by other, safer mosquito control chemicals.
4. How does Fenthion affect workers
Fenthion is a pesticide belonging to the organophosphate neurotoxin group. When exposed to Fenthion, workers are at risk of serious health problems, depending on the level and duration of exposure. Here are some ways Fenthion can affect workers:
- Acute poisoning: This occurs when workers are exposed to a large amount of Fenthion in a short time. Symptoms of acute poisoning can include nausea, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, drooling, constricted pupils, muscle weakness, and can even lead to death.
- Chronic poisoning: Occurs when workers are exposed to low doses of Fenthion over a long period. Symptoms of chronic poisoning can include fatigue, headache, memory loss, neurological disorders, reduced concentration, and effects on the nervous system.
- Cholinesterase inhibition: Fenthion has the ability to inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase, which plays an important role in the nervous system. This inhibition can cause neurological symptoms as mentioned above.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Fenthion for human exposure
Currently, there is no single global standard for the permissible safe concentration of Fenthion for human exposure. Health and occupational safety organizations around the world provide different recommendations based on studies of Fenthion’s toxicity.
Some reputable organizations provide reference levels such as:
- ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists): The occupational exposure limit for Fenthion is 0.05 mg/m³ for 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week.
- WHO (World Health Organization): Does not provide a specific safe exposure limit for Fenthion, but recommends that exposure to Fenthion be minimized.
It should be noted that these reference levels are only guidelines and should not be considered absolutely safe. Even at low concentrations, Fenthion can still cause adverse health effects, especially with long-term exposure.
Basically, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Fenthion. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the effects of Fenthion on workers’ health
Fenthion is a toxic chemical, so minimizing its effects on workers’ health is extremely necessary. Here are some measures that can be taken:
Replace Fenthion with safer alternatives:
- This is the most effective method to protect workers’ health. Many pesticides, veterinary drugs, and wood preservation products that are safer for human health are now available. Manufacturers should prioritize using these alternatives to limit exposure to Fenthion.
2. Engineering controls:
- Engineering controls aim to prevent or minimize the generation and spread of Fenthion in the work environment. For example:
- Good ventilation system to exhaust Fenthion dust and vapor from the work area.
- Use enclosed equipment to limit Fenthion exposure to workers.
- Regular maintenance of machinery and equipment to prevent Fenthion leaks.
3. Administrative measures:
- Administrative measures include regulations on occupational safety and safe work procedures with Fenthion.
- Train workers on the health risks of Fenthion, preventive measures, and how to handle spills.
- Require workers to use full protective equipment when handling Fenthion.
- Conduct periodic health monitoring for workers at risk of Fenthion exposure.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as:
- Protective clothing made from Fenthion-resistant material.
- Respirators for dust and organic vapors.
- Safety goggles to prevent Fenthion from splashing into the eyes.
- Impermeable gloves to prevent Fenthion from contacting the skin.
5. Good personal hygiene practices:
- Workers need to practice proper personal hygiene after handling Fenthion.
- Remove protective clothing and wash it separately from regular clothes.
- Shower thoroughly with soap and water.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas containing Fenthion.
By combining the measures above, factories and facilities using Fenthion can create a safer work environment, minimize the risk of Fenthion exposure, and protect workers’ health.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about the risks and safety measures when working with this chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide workplace environment monitoring center
Workplace Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces 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 assists clients 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 commits to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and personnel, 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 objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
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- Coming to Nam Viet’s 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. Workplace environment monitoring quotation
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information on the prices of 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 commit to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to consult and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We commit to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
