This article will focus on exploring the role of indoleacetic acid in affecting the health of workers. Indoleacetic acid, an important plant hormone, not only affects plant growth but can also impact human health and psychology upon exposure. The article will cover the mechanism of action of indoleacetic acid, its sources and causes of exposure, and review relevant scientific studies to better understand its effects on workers’ health.
1. What is Indoleacetic Acid?
Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is a plant hormone belonging to the auxin group, primarily playing a role in the growth and development of plants. The chemical formula for indoleacetic acid is C10H9NO2. Auxins are a group of important hormones in plants, playing a key role in many biological reactions, including the development of roots and shoots, leaf formation, and influencing the plant’s growth direction.
Indoleacetic acid is typically synthesized at the tips of young shoots and at low levels in leaves, roots, and fruits. It has a particular influence on root maintenance and development, as well as the growth process of plants. Auxin can also be influenced by external factors such as light and the direction of gravity.
| No. | Chemical Name (Vietnamese) | Chemical Name (English) | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Axit indolacetic | Indoleacetic Acid | 29183000 | 87-51-4 | C10H8NO2 |
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2. Where does Indoleacetic Acid originate from in the production process?
Indoleacetic acid (IAA) in plants can be synthesized from tryptophan, an amino acid. This process usually occurs in the main tissues and cells of plants, especially at the tips of young shoots and in the leaves.
Specifically, tryptophan is converted into indoleacetic acid through multiple steps mediated by enzymes. Some important enzymes in this process include tryptophan synthase, tryptophan decarboxylase, and indole-3-pyruvic acid. This synthesis process is part of complex metabolic pathways in plants, and it is tightly controlled to ensure balance and efficiency in using auxin to regulate plant growth and development.

3. Industries that use Indoleacetic Acid in production
Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is often used in research and applications in the fields of agriculture and biology. Here are some industries that may use Indoleacetic Acid in production:
- Agriculture: IAA is applied to promote plant growth. It can be used to stimulate seed germination, root and shoot growth, as well as in the process of enriching seedlings for plant production.
- Biological Research: IAA is often used in plant biology studies to better understand the mechanisms and effects of auxin on plant development.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: In some cases, IAA may be used in pharmaceutical research and development, especially in research on the effects of plant hormones on human health.
- Aquaculture: Some studies have proposed the application of IAA in aquaculture to improve the growth and quality of aquatic food products.
However, it should be noted that IAA is often used in specialized research and applications, and its application in mass production processes may depend on the specific requirements of each industry.
4. How does Indoleacetic Acid affect workers
At normal levels and under normal use conditions, Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) is not a substance that is hazardous to workers’ health. In fact, IAA is a natural plant hormone, often used in research and agricultural applications to stimulate plant growth and improve agricultural efficiency.
However, when exposed to IAA at high levels or in unsafe conditions, it can cause some health problems for workers, such as:
- Skin Irritation: Direct contact with IAA can cause skin irritation, especially if workers do not use proper safety measures like protective gloves.
- Respiratory Issues: If IAA is used in a poorly ventilated environment, it can cause problems for the worker’s respiratory system if they inhale IAA vapor or dust.
- Research Risks: Researchers and those working in the biological field may face a risk of high exposure to IAA during research, and therefore need to adhere to safety measures to minimize risk.
To ensure safety for workers, the use of IAA in the work environment needs to be strictly managed and controlled, and occupational safety measures must be fully implemented.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Indoleacetic Acid for human exposure
There is no specific concentration of Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) that has been determined to be safe for human exposure, as it is typically used in research and agricultural settings, and safety assessment depends on many different factors such as exposure duration, route of exposure, and working conditions.
At levels commonly encountered in research and agricultural applications, IAA does not usually pose a hazard to human health. However, when working with chemicals like IAA, adhering to safety measures is important. These measures include using personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant clothing.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Indoleacetic Acid is important. 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 minimize the impact of Indoleacetic Acid on workers’ health
To minimize the impact of Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) on workers’ health during work, there are several safety measures you can implement:
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure workers use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant clothing when in direct contact with IAA. This helps prevent direct contact with the substance and protects the skin and eyes.
- Implement Occupational Safety Measures: Adhere to occupational safety rules, including working in a well-ventilated environment, avoiding inhalation of IAA vapor or dust, and keeping the workplace clean.
- Occupational safety training: Train workers on how to use IAA correctly, safety measures, and how to handle incidents. This helps increase understanding and awareness of risks, thereby minimizing them.
- Work Under Safety Rules: Establish safe work procedures and conduct regular checks to ensure all workers comply with safety regulations and use protective measures correctly.
- Waste Management: Dispose of waste containing IAA according to local and national regulations. This helps prevent environmental pollution and minimize the risk of unwanted exposure.
- Concentration Control: Ensure that the concentration of IAA in the work environment is controlled and maintained at a safe level. This may include using concentration control devices and regular monitoring.
- Periodically organize working environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze 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 assists clients in planning, processing, and tracking working 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 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 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 cost advantages.
8. Quotation for working environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct working environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for working environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation table provides detailed information about 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 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 are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.

