Working environment factors
How does Amitraz affect workers’ health?
Feb
Amitraz (C₁₉H₂₃N₃) is a common chemical in agriculture, but its impact on the health of workers at manufacturing plants remains a major concern. This article will clarify the potential risks, long-term effects, and necessary protective measures to ensure the safety of workers.
1. What is Amitraz?
Amitraz, with the chemical formula C₁₉H₂₃N₃, is a chemical compound belonging to the amidine group, commonly used as an insecticide and parasiticide in agriculture and animal husbandry. It is a colorless or pale yellow solid, soluble in some organic solvents but sparingly soluble in water. Amitraz is synthesized to control insects, ticks, and fleas on crops as well as animals, especially livestock.
Chemically, Amitraz acts as an insect growth regulator, affecting their nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) and interfering with the activity of octopamine receptors. This leads to paralysis, loss of neurological control, and ultimately the death of the insect. Thanks to this mechanism, Amitraz is considered effective in controlling hard-to-manage pests.
In industry, Amitraz is often used in solution or powder form to be formulated into insecticide products. However, due to its chemical properties and potential to affect the nervous system, direct contact with Amitraz can cause adverse health reactions in humans. Therefore, during the production and use of this chemical, workers need to be fully equipped with protective measures to minimize the risk of poisoning.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Amitraz | Amitraz | 29252900 | 33089-61-1 | C19H23N3 |
See more services: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Amitraz originate from in the production process?
During the production process, the compound C₁₉H₂₃N₃ is created primarily from chemical synthesis reactions in the chemical industry. The initial raw materials typically include organic compounds containing aromatic rings and amidine groups, which are processed through various reaction stages to form the final product. These processes may involve the use of catalysts, solvents, and specific temperature and pressure conditions to ensure the highest synthesis efficiency.
Besides the main synthesis process, sources of generation can also come from the processing, refining, and packaging stages of the product. When this chemical is filtered, dried, or ground into powder or solution form, small particles can be dispersed into the air in the work environment. This is particularly common in factories that lack effective ventilation and emission control systems, leading to a risk of respiratory exposure for workers.
Additionally, during transportation and storage, leaks from containers or piping systems can also create a source of the chemical. If not strictly controlled, droplets or vapors of the chemical can spread into the surrounding environment, increasing the exposure level for workers. Cleaning equipment, and handling waste and wastewater are also potential sources of generation, especially when safety measures are not fully implemented.
3. Industries that use Amitraz in production
The compound C₁₉H₂₃N₃ is widely used in many industries, especially in the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry. In the crop protection product manufacturing industry, it is a key ingredient in insecticide, tick, and flea control products. Agrochemical companies often use this compound to create formulations that protect crops from harmful insect attacks, helping to increase yield and quality of agricultural products.
The livestock industry is also a common user, particularly in controlling parasites on livestock and domestic animals. Livestock farms and veterinary medicine production facilities often use this compound to create dipping or spraying solutions for livestock to eliminate ticks, lice, and other blood-sucking insects. Veterinary medicine production and formulation facilities must adhere to strict procedures to ensure the product meets quality and safety standards for animal use.
In the chemical industry, this compound is also used in the production of formulations for insect control in food storage warehouses, agricultural product stores, and areas with a high risk of insect infestation. Pest control companies often use products containing this active ingredient for spraying or environmental treatment to protect goods from insect damage.
In addition, some other industries such as textiles and wood production sometimes use this compound in the raw material treatment process to prevent the growth of harmful insects and microorganisms. Production facilities involved in the preservation and processing of raw materials often have special treatment processes to ensure effective pest control in the final product.
4. How does Amitraz affect workers?
Exposure to the compound C₁₉H₂₃N₃ in the workplace can cause many negative health effects for workers, depending on the level and duration of exposure. When inhaling vapors or dust containing this chemical, the respiratory system can become irritated, causing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and a sore throat. With long-term exposure, the risk of lung damage and reduced respiratory function may increase, especially for those working in manufacturing plants or poorly ventilated areas.
The skin and eyes are also easily affected by direct contact with this chemical. Contact with the skin can cause irritation, redness, itching, or contact dermatitis. If the chemical gets into the eyes, it can cause a burning sensation, redness, continuous tearing, and in severe cases, can lead to corneal damage.
The central nervous system can also be affected when workers are exposed to high concentrations over a long period. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and in some cases, can cause temporary cognitive impairment. If this chemical enters the body through the digestive tract or is absorbed through the skin in large doses, it can cause poisoning symptoms such as heart rhythm disorders, low blood pressure, cold sweats, and seizures.
In addition, the long-term health risks have not been fully studied, but some research suggests that prolonged exposure may affect the liver, kidneys, and endocrine system. People who regularly work in an environment with this chemical without proper protective measures may face the risk of toxin accumulation in the body, leading to serious health problems later on.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Amitraz for human exposure
Determining the permissible safe concentration for exposure to the compound C₁₉H₂₃N₃ is a crucial factor in protecting worker health. According to the National Standard TCVN 5624-1:2009, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of this compound is 0.01 mg per kg of body weight. This means a person weighing 70 kg can be exposed to a maximum of 0.7 mg per day without harm to their health.
However, current regulations primarily focus on residue limits in food, such as cattle meat (0.05 mg/kg), pig meat (0.05 mg/kg), sheep meat (0.1 mg/kg), edible offal of cattle, pigs, and sheep (0.2 mg/kg), milk (0.01 mg/kg), oranges (0.5 mg/kg), pome fruits (0.5 mg/kg), cherries (0.5 mg/kg), peaches (0.5 mg/kg), cotton seed (0.5 mg/kg), crude cotton seed oil (0.05 mg/kg), cucumber (0.5 mg/kg), and tomato (0.5 mg/kg). Currently, there are no specific regulations on safe concentrations in the air or work environment for this compound.
Therefore, to ensure the safety of workers, it is necessary to implement strict control measures during the production and use of this compound, including equipping personal protective equipment, effective ventilation systems, and regular monitoring of the work environment.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Amitraz. 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 impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Amitraz on worker health
To minimize the health effects of the compound C₁₉H₂₃N₃ on workers, implementing safety measures and controlling the work environment is extremely important. First and foremost, workers must be provided with full personal protective equipment, including gloves, respirators, safety goggles, and specialized clothing, to prevent direct contact with the chemical. Training and raising awareness about occupational safety also play a key role, helping workers understand the risks and how to prevent them when working with this compound.
In addition, it is necessary to establish an effective ventilation system in the production area to minimize the concentration of chemical vapors in the air. Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment and machinery also help to detect and prevent leaks or the release of chemicals into the environment. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish safe work procedures, including limiting exposure time, using specialized tools, and strictly adhering to guidelines for mixing, transporting, and storing the chemical.
Finally, regular health monitoring for workers exposed to this compound is necessary to detect any unusual signs early and take timely intervention measures. Combining these measures will contribute to protecting the health of workers and ensuring a safe working environment when handling the compound C₁…H…N….
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 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, and then adjust to reduce the hazard level 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 the supervision and measurement of workplace environmental quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, processing, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all of their needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, techniques, 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:
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8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for workplace environment monitoring services.
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