Working environment factors
How does Parathion affect workers’ health?
Nov
Parathion (C10H14NO5PS) is one of the toxic chemicals that poses a significant risk to the health of workers in manufacturing plants. This article will clarify the effects of parathion on the nervous system, respiratory system, and other organs of the body, helping workers to understand clearly and take effective self-protection measures.
1. What is Parathion?
With the chemical formula C10H14NO5PS, parathion is a chemical compound belonging to the organophosphate pesticide group. First synthesized in 1940, parathion was quickly and widely used in agriculture to control insect pests on crops. However, due to its high toxicity, it can pose serious health risks if exposed directly, especially when used in chemical manufacturing or processing plants. Parathion works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in the nervous system, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine, causing bodily dysfunction and symptoms of poisoning.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Parathion | Parathion | 29201100 | 56-38-2 | C10H14NO5PS |
See more: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Parathion originate from in the production process?
During the production process, parathion mainly arises from the synthesis and formulation stages of chemicals in the factory. Raw materials are reacted together in a controlled environment to form parathion, and it is during this process that workers are at risk of direct contact with the compound if not adequately protected. In addition, during the packaging, transportation, or storage of parathion, small amounts of this substance can also be released into the air or adhere to surfaces, creating a risk of exposure for workers.
3. Industries that use Parathion in production
In industry, the agriculture and chemical manufacturing sectors are the two main fields that use parathion. Particularly in the agricultural sector, parathion is widely used in the production of pesticides to protect crops from harmful insects. Manufacturers often use parathion in the process of creating plant protection products to increase the effectiveness of pest control. Workers in pesticide production plants, or those who work directly with products containing parathion, often face a high risk of exposure to this chemical.
Besides agriculture, some areas of the chemical industry also use parathion or related compounds in the research and development of biological control products. Although the use of parathion has been restricted in many countries due to its toxic effects, in some industrial environments, this substance is still permitted for use under strict control.
4. How does Parathion affect workers?
Workers exposed to parathion are at risk of serious health effects due to the toxic nature of this substance. When parathion enters the body through the respiratory tract, skin, or digestive system, it quickly affects the nervous system, causing inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This inhibition leads to an accumulation of acetylcholine, resulting in neurological dysfunction, causing muscle convulsions, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, can cause respiratory arrest.
Initial symptoms when workers are exposed to parathion often include headache, dizziness, nausea, and tearing. If exposure is prolonged or the level of exposure is high, workers may experience respiratory problems, uncontrolled muscle spasms, and cognitive decline. In more severe cases, parathion poisoning can cause heart rhythm disorders, loss of motor function, and can even be fatal if not treated promptly.
The long-term effects of parathion also cannot be taken lightly, as workers may suffer permanent damage to the nervous system, memory loss, and impaired function of other organs in the body.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Parathion for human exposure
The safe concentration level of parathion in the working environment is a crucial factor for protecting the health of workers, especially in the manufacturing and agricultural industries that use this chemical. According to occupational safety agencies, the permissible exposure limit for parathion is typically set very low due to its toxic nature. Generally, the maximum concentration of parathion that workers can be exposed to is recommended to be below 0.05 mg/m³ in the air, based on studies of its health impacts.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Parathion is crucial. 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 effects of Parathion on workers’ health
To minimize the effects of parathion on workers’ health, strict protective measures must be applied from the moment the work environment is established. One of the most important measures is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including chemical-resistant masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing. This equipment helps prevent parathion from coming into direct contact with the skin and respiratory mucous membranes, while also protecting workers from harm when working in a high-exposure risk environment.
In addition, improving the ventilation system and cleaning the air in the work area also play an important role. Natural or mechanical ventilation systems should be installed to reduce the concentration of parathion in the air, thereby limiting the risk of inhaling the toxic substance. Implementing hygiene measures, including hand washing, changing protective clothing regularly, and disinfecting work surfaces, helps to remove residual parathion and minimize long-term contact with this chemical.
Training and raising awareness among workers about the health risks caused by parathion is also a key factor. Occupational safety training programs will help workers understand preventive measures, how to use protective equipment correctly, and how to act in case of an incident, minimizing the risk of poisoning.
Finally, regular health monitoring of workers in environments where parathion is used is necessary. Periodic health checks help to detect early signs of poisoning or the long-term effects of parathion on health, allowing for timely intervention to protect the 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 should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, to collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of risk to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Workplace Environment Monitoring
The 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.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports 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, the Nam Viet 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 solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- By choosing 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 incentives.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses carry out workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table 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 advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
