Working environment factors
How does Flufenoxuron affect workers’ health?
May
Flufenoxuron is a chemical commonly used in the pesticide manufacturing industry. However, exposure to this chemical can pose many potential risks to workers’ health, especially when they work in a manufacturing plant environment. This article will provide you with detailed information about the negative effects of Flufenoxuron on workers’ health, including respiratory, dermatological, nervous system, and reproductive problems. In addition, the article will also address the necessary preventive measures to protect workers’ health when exposed to this chemical.
1. What is Flufenoxuron?
Flufenoxuron is an insecticide active ingredient belonging to the benzoylurea group. It has the chemical formula C21H11ClF6N2O3, is synthetically produced, and used to control many types of pests on crops. Flufenoxuron affects the nervous system of insects, causing dysfunction leading to death.
Flufenoxuron is registered for use on many different types of crops, including vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, and industrial crops. It is effective in controlling many common harmful pests, such as leaf rollers, thrips, aphids, and mites.
However, the use of Flufenoxuron must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure effectiveness and safety. Overuse of Flufenoxuron can lead to resistance in harmful insects.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Flufenoxuron | Flufenoxuron | 29225090 | 101463-69-8 | C21H11ClF6N2O3 |
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2. Where does Flufenoxuron originate from during the production process?
Flufenoxuron can appear in agricultural products from various stages during the production process. Here are some of the main sources of Flufenoxuron:
- Use of Flufenoxuron-based pesticides: This is the most direct source causing Flufenoxuron residues in agricultural products. Flufenoxuron is used to control pests on crops. The amount of spray not fully absorbed by the plant can remain on the surface or fall to the ground. This residue can then decompose but may also persist for a certain period, depending on environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity.
- Environmental contamination: Flufenoxuron can persist in soil and water for a long time. They can be absorbed by plant roots or deposited on stems and leaves, leading to Flufenoxuron contamination of crops even when not directly sprayed.
- Agricultural practices: Sharing agricultural tools or using water sources contaminated with Flufenoxuron can also cause cross-contamination of produce. Therefore, it is important to clean tools and use clean water sources throughout the production process.
Additionally, improper use of Flufenoxuron-based pesticides, such as exceeding recommended dosages or spraying close to harvest time, can also increase the risk of Flufenoxuron residues in agricultural products.
3. Industries that use Flufenoxuron in production
Flufenoxuron is an insecticide active ingredient belonging to the benzoylurea group, widely used in many different agricultural sectors. Below are some typical fields:
- Cultivation: Flufenoxuron is registered for use on many different types of crops, including leafy vegetables, fruit trees, industrial crops, and food crops. For example, flufenoxuron is effective in controlling pests such as diamondback moths, green caterpillars, aphids, and thrips on lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, mangoes, lychees, rice, corn, and many other crops.
- Livestock: Flufenoxuron is also used in livestock and poultry farming to control external parasites such as ticks and scabies. By eliminating parasites, flufenoxuron helps improve animal health, promoting growth and livestock productivity.
- Integrated agriculture: In addition, flufenoxuron is also used in other areas of integrated agriculture, such as controlling termites and insect pests in agricultural product storage warehouses. By protecting seeds and post-harvest agricultural products from insect pests, flufenoxuron helps minimize post-harvest losses and ensure the quality of agricultural products.
4. How does Flufenoxuron affect workers?
Flufenoxuron can cause several health effects for workers if not handled properly. The level of impact depends on many factors such as:
- Dosage and duration of exposure: Exposure to high doses of flufenoxuron or for long periods will pose a greater risk of harm than short-term exposure to low doses.
- Route of exposure: Flufenoxuron can enter the human body through the respiratory tract, skin, and digestive tract. Among these, inhaling pesticide dust or direct skin contact are the most common routes of exposure.
- Individual factors: Each person’s response to flufenoxuron also differs. People with a history of skin, respiratory, or nervous system diseases may be more sensitive to this active ingredient.
Acute effects of Flufenoxuron:
- Skin irritation: Contact with flufenoxuron can cause skin irritation, leading to symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, and swelling.
- Eye irritation: Flufenoxuron can cause eye irritation, leading to tearing, pain, and blurred vision.
- Respiratory irritation: Inhaling flufenoxuron pesticide dust can cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and sore throat.
- Other symptoms: In some cases, exposure to flufenoxuron can cause other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and headache.
Long-term effects of Flufenoxuron:
- Currently, there is insufficient research to conclude on the long-term effects of flufenoxuron on workers’ health. However, some animal studies suggest that flufenoxuron may have effects on the nervous and endocrine systems.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Flufenoxuron for human exposure
Flufenoxuron is a relatively safe insecticide active ingredient for humans if used according to instructions. The world’s leading food safety regulatory agencies such as FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and WHO (World Health Organization) have established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) standards for Flufenoxuron for humans. The ADI is the maximum amount of a substance that a person can consume daily throughout their lifetime without causing significant health harm.
According to FAO and WHO, the ADI for Flufenoxuron is 0.01 mg/kg of body weight per day. This means a person weighing 60 kg can safely consume up to 0.6 mg of Flufenoxuron per day without exceeding the ADI level.
However, it is important to note that this is the theoretically permissible safe amount. In practice, exposure to Flufenoxuron should be minimized. To ensure safety, users should always follow the instructions on the pesticide label and wear appropriate protective clothing when handling Flufenoxuron.
Additionally, individuals with a history of allergies or other health problems should consult a doctor before being exposed to Flufenoxuron.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Flufenoxuron is important. 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 Flufenoxuron on workers’ health
Flufenoxuron is an effective pesticide but can also cause adverse health effects for workers if not handled properly. Below are some important measures to help minimize these effects:
Wear adequate personal protective equipment: This is the foremost measure to prevent direct contact of skin and mucous membranes with Flufenoxuron. Workers need to wear long-sleeved protective clothing, boots, masks, and safety goggles throughout the process of mixing, spraying, and contacting newly sprayed areas.
Mix and spray pesticides correctly: Pesticides should be mixed according to the manufacturer’s recommended dosage, avoiding excessive dilution or mixing with other unverified pesticides. Spray when the wind is calm, in cool conditions, do not spray against the wind, and ensure even coverage, avoiding excessive spraying in one spot.
Wash hands and feet regularly: The habit of washing hands and feet regularly with soap after mixing, spraying, and before eating is extremely necessary. This helps remove pesticide adhering to the skin, reducing the risk of introducing Flufenoxuron into the body.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling pesticides: During the process of mixing and spraying pesticides, absolutely do not eat, drink, or smoke to avoid accidentally ingesting Flufenoxuron through the mouth. A separate dining area should be arranged, far from the mixing and spraying area.
Bathe thoroughly after spraying: After finishing spraying, protective clothing should be removed, and a thorough bath with soap should be taken. This helps completely remove any pesticide remaining on the skin, preventing health effects.
Training and awareness enhancement: Farm and orchard owners need to organize training sessions to provide knowledge about Flufenoxuron, including its toxicity, safe use, and poisoning prevention measures. Raising workers’ awareness of the potential risks of Flufenoxuron will help them proactively protect their health.
By fully applying the measures mentioned above, the effects of Flufenoxuron on workers’ health can be significantly minimized, ensuring safety during agricultural production.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training needs to be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize working environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National working environment monitoring center
Nam Viet’s working environment monitoring center 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 supports clients in planning, processing, and tracking working environment issues. With the motto “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 human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of working 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.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable things possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise and a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- 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 incentives on costs.
8. Quotation for working environment monitoring
To help businesses perform working environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for working environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting 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 advise and answer all 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.
