Working environment factors
How does Ethion affect workers’ health?
Dec
Ethion (C9H22O4P2S4) is a hazardous chemical used in many industries, especially in manufacturing plants. So, how does Ethion affect the health of workers with regular exposure? Let’s explore the impacts of Ethion and measures to protect occupational health in this article.
1. What is Ethion?
Ethion, with the chemical formula C9H22O4P2S4, is a type of chemical belonging to the organophosphate group, commonly used in agriculture and industry. It is a compound containing phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O), along with a complex structure that includes organic functional groups.
Ethion is characterized as a pesticide, used primarily to protect crops from harmful insects and pests. The chemical formula C9H22O4P2S4 shows that the structure of Ethion consists of 9 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms, 4 oxygen atoms, 2 phosphorus atoms, and 4 sulfur atoms. With this structure, Ethion acts as an inhibitor of the insect nervous system, preventing them from functioning normally and leading to their death.
Due to its toxic nature, Ethion must be used with care, especially in production environments or areas where workers come into direct contact with this chemical. Understanding the formula and properties of Ethion is very important for assessing and controlling the risks to human health.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Ethion | Ethion | 29309090 | 563-12-2 | C9H22O4P2S4 |
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2. Where does Ethion originate from in the production process?
The source of Ethion in the production process is mainly related to the use and handling of this chemical in factories or production facilities that use pesticides. During production, when formulating or applying Ethion to protect crops, this chemical can be released into the air, soil, or water, causing environmental pollution. In addition, the use of improper safety procedures in agricultural processing and production plants can also lead to Ethion leaks or generation from production waste.
In factories, employees can come into direct contact with Ethion during stages such as formulation, packaging, or when performing maintenance on equipment that uses this chemical.
3. Industries that use Ethion in production
The main industries that use Ethion in production are agriculture and agro-processing. In agriculture, Ethion is widely used as a pesticide to protect crops from various harmful insects, especially on fruit trees and vegetables. This chemical helps control the growth of pests, allowing crops to grow healthily and achieve high yields.
In addition, Ethion is also used in some food processing and agro-processing industries. In processing plants, this chemical may be used in processes to protect agricultural products from insects during transportation, storage, or processing. Other industries such as crop protection manufacturing, fertilizer production facilities, and chemical plants may also use Ethion to improve production efficiency and protect crops throughout the production process.
4. How does Ethion affect workers?
When workers are exposed to Ethion, this chemical can cause many negative health effects. Inhaling vapor or dust from Ethion in the air, or direct contact with the skin and eyes, can cause irritation and respiratory problems. Symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue may appear immediately after exposure.
In addition, Ethion can also directly affect the nervous system of workers, causing phenomena such as hand tremors, convulsions, or neurological disorders. These effects occur because Ethion can inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme in the body, disrupting nerve function. In cases of prolonged exposure or high doses, Ethion can cause serious health effects, even leading to poisoning.
Furthermore, long-term or continuous exposure to Ethion can increase the risk of chronic diseases, including liver and kidney diseases. Skin problems such as dermatitis, rashes, or itching are also possible side effects.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ethion for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of Ethion for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations. According to international standards, the concentration of Ethion in the air must not exceed a certain level to ensure worker health. Specifically, agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have established a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Ethion in the air.
Typically, the permissible safe concentration in the air is very low, ranging from 0.1 mg/m³ to 0.2 mg/m³, depending on the country and specific regulations. This level is determined based on research into the potential for long-term harm to human health from exposure to Ethion throughout the work process.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Ethion. 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 minimize the health effects of Ethion on workers
To minimize the health effects of Ethion on workers, protective measures must be strictly implemented throughout the production process. One of the most important measures is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing. This equipment helps prevent Ethion from coming into direct contact with the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract of workers.
In addition to using protective equipment, safety measures for handling and using Ethion must be followed, including adhering to proper formulation, storage, and transportation procedures. Work areas where Ethion is used should be equipped with adequate ventilation to minimize the concentration of Ethion in the air. Maintaining a well-ventilated workspace helps limit the risk of inhaling vapor or dust from this chemical.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness for workers about the risks associated with Ethion and safety measures are very important. Workers need to be specifically instructed on how to use protective equipment and safe work procedures to minimize risks.
Finally, companies and production facilities must regularly test and monitor the concentration of Ethion in the air to ensure that exposure levels do not exceed the permissible threshold. If necessary, measurement and warning tools can be used to provide timely alerts when the concentration of Ethion in the air exceeds safe levels.
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 conduct workplace 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 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, meeting all customer needs, and is committed 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 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.
- We provide our customers with the best and most suitable options possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With 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. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a price list for quality and reasonably priced workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our 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 are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
