Working environment factors
How does Propoxur affect workers’ health?
Dec
Propoxur (C₁₁H₁₅NO₃) is a chemical used in industry, but its effects on the health of workers in manufacturing plants can be severe. This article will explore the impact of Propoxur on health, the potential risks, and measures to protect workers.
1. What is Propoxur?
The chemical formula C₁₁H₁₅NO₃ represents an organic compound containing 11 carbon atoms, 15 hydrogen atoms, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms. This is a compound belonging to the carbamate group, known for its ability to act as a pesticide and insecticide. The components in this chemical formula indicate a complex molecular structure, with amide and ester functional groups, which play an important role in determining the chemical properties and biological activity of the compound.
This structure enables the compound to inhibit cholinesterase enzymes in the bodies of organisms, thereby preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. When active, Propoxur causes an accumulation of acetylcholine in the nervous system, disrupting the normal functioning of the nervous system and causing symptoms of poisoning if overexposed. With the chemical formula C₁₁H₁₅NO₃, this compound can be used in many industrial applications, but it also poses significant health risks to workers with long-term or improper exposure.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Propoxur | Propoxur | 29242990 | 114-26-1 | C₁₁H₁₅NO₃ |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. What are the sources of Propoxur in the production process?
During the production process, the compound Propoxur can arise from activities involving the use or manufacturing of chemicals that contain its basic components. Known primarily as a type of pesticide, Propoxur is often used in agricultural production plants, food processing facilities, or other manufacturing sites related to insect control. In this production environment, processes such as formulating, packaging, or using Propoxur to exterminate insects can lead to the generation and dispersal of the compound into the air and the working environment.
Additionally, during production, equipment and machinery may leak or spill, creating conditions for Propoxur to be released into the air or the surrounding environment. Workers directly employed in these areas may be exposed to gas or dust containing Propoxur while operating machinery, working near storage areas, or participating in the formulation and production stages of pesticides.
3. Industries that use Propoxur in production
Industries that use Propoxur in production are mainly related to insect control, especially in the agricultural and food processing sectors. In agricultural production or food processing plants, Propoxur is often used as a pesticide to protect products from attack by harmful insects. Industries processing rice, grains, wheat, or other dry foods often apply this compound to maintain quality and protect goods from pests throughout the storage process.
Besides that, Propoxur is also used in the textile, leather, or wood industries to prevent the growth of harmful insects during the production and storage of materials. Factories that produce pesticides and plant protection products also use Propoxur to manufacture formulations for insect control. Furthermore, some industries related to the production of consumer goods may use Propoxur for treatment, preservation, and prevention of insect infestation during product storage and transportation.
4. How does Propoxur affect workers?
Exposure to Propoxur can cause many negative health effects for workers, especially when they work in production environments that use this compound. One of the most serious effects is Propoxur’s ability to inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme in the body. This enzyme plays an important role in breaking down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. When inhibited, acetylcholine accumulates in the body, causing symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nervous system problems.
If exposure is prolonged or at high concentrations, workers may experience more serious problems, including respiratory disorders, convulsions, or even death in cases of severe poisoning. In particular, those who work directly in environments with Propoxur, such as pesticide manufacturing plants or food processing facilities, may face a high risk of exposure if appropriate protective measures are not in place. These symptoms not only have immediate effects but can also cause long-term health problems such as nerve damage, impaired brain function, and respiratory diseases.
In addition, continuous exposure to Propoxur can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, especially when workers are not fully equipped with protective gear or do not follow safety procedures during their work.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Propoxur for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of Propoxur for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations to minimize the risk of poisoning and adverse health effects. However, this concentration may vary depending on factors such as the type of work, duration of exposure, and personal protective measures. According to occupational safety standards, the concentration of Propoxur in the air must not exceed the specified level to ensure worker health.
In the work environment, the concentration of Propoxur is usually limited to a range of 0.1 mg/m³ to 0.5 mg/m³, depending on the regulations of each country or organization. Adherence to these limits is very important to protect the health of workers, especially in industries that use Propoxur, such as pesticide production, food processing, or industries related to material protection. If the concentration of Propoxur exceeds the permissible level, the risk of poisoning and health problems will increase, directly affecting workers.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Propoxur. Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the effects of Propoxur on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of Propoxur on workers, applying protective and control measures is extremely necessary. First and foremost, factories and production facilities need to establish and adhere to strict occupational safety regulations, including periodic checks of chemical concentrations in the air. Devices for measuring and warning about Propoxur concentrations in the work environment help to detect contamination early and make timely adjustments.
One of the important measures is the use of personal protective equipment for workers. Specialized protective clothing, gloves, chemical-resistant masks, and safety glasses are necessary equipment to minimize direct contact with Propoxur. At the same time, ensuring a proper ventilation system in the work area is very important, helping to reduce the concentration of chemicals in the air and creating a safe working condition for employees. There must be ventilation devices to extract odors and toxic gases, especially in areas where Propoxur is packaged or formulated.
In addition, training workers on the risks associated with this chemical and how to use personal protective equipment correctly is an essential factor. Workers need to understand the symptoms of Propoxur poisoning and how to handle incidents. There should also be a clear emergency procedure for handling situations of exposure to Propoxur, including providing adequate medical equipment and timely first aid instructions.
Finally, factories should establish a procedure for safely controlling and treating waste containing Propoxur to prevent the dispersal of this chemical into the external environment. Minimizing the impact of Propoxur not only protects the health of workers but also helps ensure a sustainable and safe working environment.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, to collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of harm to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
The occupational 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 to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the occupational environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with customer satisfaction, meeting 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 been and is becoming one of the reputable units in the field of occupational 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 our customers with the best and most suitable things possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- Coming to 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 deals on costs.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our valued customers with a quotation for quality and reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Our valued 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 also always ready to consult and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, our valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
