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Toxicity of Disinfectants Used on Farm
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The toxicity of a disinfectant is identified according to the amount of the compound that a person has to ingest to induce a negative effect. In the worst-case scenario, the effect would be death. The word “hazard” refers to the ability of a pesticide to cause harm. The main hazards associated with pesticides are toxicity and flammability. The word “risk” refers to the possibility that a person handling the product according to the manufacturers’ directions will encounter the hazard accidentally. The directions referred to includes storage, transport and use. The risk is due to either a single or repeated exposure to the pesticide over a short period. “Safety” refers to the degree of freedom from risk. Safety precautions on labels are intended to reduce risks to acceptable levels.
This information should make one consider what the possible effect of disinfectants could be on your health. These warnings posted on labels only take into account the acute effects (i.e. where death is induced) but do not consider the potential long term effects such as cancer, reproductive effects or even malformations.
Some common ingredients of commercial household products and their hazards are given below.
|
Chemical |
Potential Health Effects |
|
Ammonia |
Fatal when swallowed |
|
Ammonium Hydroxide |
Corrosive, irritant |
|
Bleach |
Fatal when swallowed |
|
Chlorine, such as used in disinfectants |
Number one cause of poisoning in children |
|
Formaldehyde |
Highly toxic; a known carcinogen |
|
Hydrochloric acid |
Corrosive, eye and skin irritant |
|
Hydrochloric bleach |
Eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant |
|
Nitrobenzene |
Causes skin discolouration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death |
|
Petroleum Distillates such as paraffin, turpentine etc. |
Highly flammable; suspected carcinogen |
|
Phenol |
Extremely dangerous; suspected carcinogen; fatal if taken internally |
|
Propylene Glycol (anti-freeze) |
Affects the immune system |
|
Sodium hypochlorite |
Potentially fatal |
|
Trichloroethane |
Damages liver and kidneys |
It is important that one is prepared for the use of any chemical, and that the proper safety and protective wear is used. Never eat, drink or smoke whilst using chemicals including cleaning agents.
Always treat disinfectants as if they are pesticides. Locate, identify, and label poisonous products within your home and work environment clearly, warning everybody that these are dangerous chemicals.