Working environment factors
How does Chlordane affect workers’ health?
Mar
Chlordane (C10H6Cl8) is a toxic chemical used in manufacturing plants, but it poses many risks to the health of workers. This article will explore the dangerous effects of Chlordane on the health of workers and how to protect them from these risks.
1. What is Chlordane?
Chlordane, with the chemical formula C10H6Cl8, is a chemical compound belonging to the organochlorine group, known primarily as a type of pesticide. With its characteristic chemical structure, Chlordane consists of ten carbon (C), six hydrogen (H), and eight chlorine (Cl) atoms. Because of this combination of elements, Chlordane is highly stable and difficult to decompose in the environment, which allows it to accumulate for a long time in the body and the environment.
Chlordane was once widely used in agriculture and other industries to control pests, especially in the fields of cultivation and crop protection. However, due to its toxicity, the use of Chlordane has been restricted and banned in many countries. Nevertheless, this chemical still exists in some production environments and areas with a long history of use.
The chlorine in Chlordane’s structure is the main reason for its toxicity, causing the compound to accumulate in living organisms and lead to serious harm to human health. Studies show that Chlordane can cause cancer, neurological disorders, and affect the immune system if humans are exposed to high concentrations over a long period.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Clordran | Chlordane | 29038200 | 57-74-9 | C10H6Cl8 |
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2. Where does Chlordane originate from during the production process?
During production, Chlordane mainly originates from the use and processing of industrial chemicals. It is synthesized by the chlorination method, in which basic raw materials, usually carbon-containing compounds, are treated with chlorine under high temperature and pressure conditions. This process creates a complex compound with many chlorine molecules attached to the carbon frame, forming Chlordane.
Chlordane was once produced and used extensively in the agricultural and crop protection industries, especially in the production of pesticides. This chemical has the ability to kill insects, especially pests that harm crops, thanks to its stability and long-lasting effect in the environment. However, during production and use, emissions and waste containing Chlordane can be generated, causing air and soil pollution, and increasing the risk of exposure for workers and people living near production areas.
In addition, in manufacturing plants or during storage, if safety procedures are not followed, Chlordane can be released from uncontrolled sources, such as improper handling and storage of chemicals or in the case of leaks from storage tanks. These sources of release can create potential risks to the health of workers if there are no strict control measures.
3. Industries that use Chlordane in production
Chlordane was once widely used in many different industries, especially in the fields of agricultural production and the chemical industry. In the agricultural sector, this chemical was used mainly to produce pesticides, helping to control insect pests that harm crops. Agricultural products such as cereals, vegetables, and industrial crops were once protected from pest attacks thanks to the insecticidal properties of Chlordane.
Besides, in the construction industry, Chlordane was also used to treat wood and protect materials from the attack of termites and other harmful organisms. This chemical was favored in wood preservation processes because of its long-lasting effectiveness, helping construction projects to avoid problems caused by termites and fungi.
In addition to agriculture and construction, Chlordane was also used in some other industries such as the textile and packaging industries. However, due to its toxic nature and negative health effects, the use of Chlordane in these industries has sharply decreased and is now restricted in many countries.
4. How does Chlordane affect workers?
When exposed to Chlordane, workers can experience many negative health effects, especially when there are no appropriate protective measures during work. This substance can enter the body through the respiratory tract, digestive tract, or skin, leading to serious effects, especially with prolonged exposure or at high concentrations.
One of the most noticeable effects of Chlordane exposure is its impact on the nervous system. Studies show that Chlordane can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and loss of balance. In cases of long-term exposure, neurological problems can become more severe, leading to disorders such as memory loss, lack of concentration, or even psychological disorders.
Furthermore, Chlordane is also known to be a human carcinogen. Long-term exposure to this chemical can increase the risk of developing cancers, especially lung cancer and liver cancer. Studies also show that exposure to Chlordane can weaken the body’s immune system, making workers more susceptible to infections and other diseases.
Besides, Chlordane also affects other organs such as the liver and kidneys. This substance can cause damage to these organs, leading to problems with liver and kidney function, and reducing the overall health of the workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Chlordane for human exposure
In Vietnam, the regulation of the safe concentration of Chlordane in the work environment is carried out according to occupational health standards issued by the Ministry of Health and other functional agencies. The permissible concentration levels of Chlordane in the air at the workplace are often regulated through the TLV (Threshold Limit Value) for toxic chemicals. However, because Chlordane is a toxic chemical with the ability to accumulate in the body, the permissible safe concentration for workers is very low. Typically, the concentration of Chlordane in the air should not exceed a very small limit, to minimize the risk of adverse health effects on workers.
Globally, international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have also established limits on the concentration of Chlordane in the work environment and in drinking water. According to these recommendations, the concentration of Chlordane in the air of production areas must be strictly controlled to not exceed 0.1 mg/m³ for an 8-hour workday. The EPA in the U.S. also recommends that the concentration of Chlordane in drinking water not exceed 0.002 mg/L to ensure public health safety.
Nevertheless, given its toxic nature and ability to accumulate in the body, countries and international health organizations all recommend minimizing exposure to Chlordane as much as possible. Many countries have implemented strict measures, including banning the use of Chlordane in agriculture and other industries due to the significant health risks it poses.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Chlordane. 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 effects of Chlordane on worker health
To minimize the effects of Chlordane on worker health, preventive and protective measures must be strictly implemented in the work environment. One of the most important measures is to control and minimize the concentration of Chlordane in the air in production areas. The installation of a good ventilation system, the use of toxic gas extraction devices, and maintaining a well-ventilated workspace are effective ways to limit workers’ exposure to this chemical.
In addition, fully equipping workers with personal protective equipment is an indispensable factor. Equipment such as respirators, gloves, protective clothing, and chemical-resistant boots helps to prevent direct contact with Chlordane. This equipment needs to be selected appropriately and used correctly to achieve the highest protective effectiveness.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness for workers about the risks of Chlordane and safety measures is very important. Workers need to be instructed on how to use protective equipment, safe work procedures, as well as how to handle incidents related to this chemical.
Production facilities need to conduct periodic checks and monitoring of the Chlordane concentration in the work environment to ensure that it is always at a safe level. At the same time, maintaining and implementing proper waste disposal procedures for Chlordane-containing waste is also an important part of protecting worker health.
Finally, when there are signs of excessive exposure to Chlordane, workers need to undergo periodic health checks and have any emerging health issues addressed promptly. Early detection of symptoms affected by Chlordane will help to minimize risks and protect the health of workers.
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 needs to be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Occupational Environment Monitoring
The Occupational Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit for 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.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the working environment. 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 personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of occupational environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
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8. Price Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes all costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Valued customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
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