Biocidal products are ready-to-use products that contain at least one chemically produced or naturally obtained substance (active substance) responsible for the activity, that have a chemical or biological effect on any harmful living thing, that kills this living thing or removes it from the environment, renders it harmless, is called.

Biocidal products 

Biocidal products are ready-to-use products that contain at least one chemically produced or naturally obtained substance (active substance) responsible for the activity, that have a chemical or biological effect on any harmful living thing, that kills this living thing or removes it from the environment, renders it harmless, is called.

Harmful creatures can be invisible creatures such as viruses, bacteria or fungi, as well as creatures such as mice, mosquitoes, cockroaches. They can harm people by biting and carrying other microbes.



Not only active substance is used in the production of biocidal products. Many chemicals can be used as wetting, spreading, antifoaming, solvent or filling material in the product content. All of these substances can have toxic effects on the human body.

Societies have used different products for thousands of years against harmful creatures that may come from their environment. However, the amount of product used has been increasing in recent years.

All biocidal products are prepared with the understanding of killing or removing live. Therefore, all of them are more or less toxic. The production, packaging, transportation, preservation, sale, use and disposal of these products require special attention. In cases where due care is not taken, the use of these products can have negative effects on people directly or by polluting water sources, food, soil, air, etc.

Where are biocidal products used? 

Biocidal products can basically be evaluated in 4 main groups. These:

Disinfectants and general biocidal products

In general, they are used to remove disease-causing substances such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and to create more hygienic environments.

  • Those related to human hygiene (health facility, bathroom, toilet, disinfection of public living areas, etc.),
  • Disinfectants used in personal and public areas (swimming pools, domestic areas, community living area disinfectants, etc.),
  • Those used in the veterinary field (disinfection of livestock and poultry farms, etc.),
  • Used in food and feed production areas,
  • Drinking water disinfectants (mains water, disinfection of water in hotel, site warehouses, etc.)

Protectors 

They are used to protect the produced products from harmful bacteria, fungi or viruses that may come from outside, to extend the shelf life of the product, and to reduce product-related diseases.

  • In-box preservatives (all kinds of canned materials other than food and feed materials),
  • Film preservatives (used in film coatings of materials such as paint, plastic, insulating materials, wall glue, binders, paper, works of art),
  • Wood preservatives (products used to protect all kinds of wood materials),
  • Those used for the protection of leather, rubber, paper, polymer material, textile products,
  • Wall protectors (products used to protect all kinds of non-wood building materials),
  • Products used for the protection of liquid coolers and treatment systems in industrial facilities,
  • Biocidal products (slimicides) used to prevent slime formation on pulp, etc. in industrial facilities,
  • Those used for the protection of liquid metal processing materials in industrial facilities,

Used for pest control 

They are products used to fight harmful creatures such as mice, cockroaches and mosquitoes, especially indoors, and to prevent them from directly or indirectly damaging human health.

  • Products used to fight rodents such as mice and rats in all kinds of indoor places, especially in food production and sales places,
  • Products used to prevent the reproduction of mollusks such as snails, especially in open areas and summer houses,
  • Products (insecticide) used to combat harmful creatures such as mosquitoes and houseflies in all kinds of indoor or outdoor areas,
  • Products used in residences, workplaces, vehicles, industrial facilities, food production areas, animal shelters, cafeterias and open areas to repel mosquitoes, fleas and other harmful insects,
  • Products used in rural areas, outdoors or gardens to repel game, birds, dogs or cats,

Other biocidal products 

  • Protective products for food and feed stocks used in food warehouses, warehouses, silos,
  • Products to prevent deterioration caused by sea creatures in ships and sailboats,
  • Products to prevent spoilage from harmful organisms in mummification and post-stuffing processes.

As can be seen, biocidal products are encountered in almost every area of life. These substances, which are released into nature in order to protect themselves from harmful creatures, can also be harmful to humans in cases where the necessary conditions are not met.

How are biocidal products transmitted to humans? 

Biocidal products are spread in different ways in terms of use, location, characteristics of the place where they are applied, and climate characteristics. Knowing the mode of spread is important to protect against the harmful effects of these products.

  • Contamination by Air: They can be mixed into the air by spraying into the air, being released into the air by fog and smoke machines from municipal vehicles, spraying from pressurized cans, etc. They can travel to very different distances with the effect of climatic conditions, wind and air currents of the place where they mix with the air. The type, amount and particle size of the substance used in this transport are also important. The transported substances may enter the human body through respiration, skin contact, accumulation on food, and collapse into water sources. During the time it is suspended in the air, it can also turn into more dangerous products by interacting with other chemicals in the air.
  • Contamination by Water : Biocidal products can be transmitted directly to water resources from the air. In addition, the products accumulated in the soil, plants and trees can pass from the soil to water resources in various ways. It can also pass into the human body as a result of the use of unprotected water resources by people for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc.
  • Contamination with Foods : Foods produced with water contaminated with biocidal products, foods that are directly exposed to biocidal products, foods transported or stored with biocidal products may also be intermediary for the transmission of toxic substances to humans.
  • Contamination from Soil: Food produced in the soil that comes into contact with biocidal products or the water that biocidal products reach by leaching from the soil can also be a source of contamination.
  • Contagion from Home Use : One of the places where biocidal products are used most frequently is the house. Many different products such as mosquito control, antibacterial products, hand disinfectants, and floor surface disinfectants are used at home. People may be infected due to the unconscious use of these products. More dangerously, these products may be accidentally ingested by children or by adults for suicidal purposes. Poisoning with these products can sometimes be life-threatening and sometimes cause permanent damage. For this reason, these products should be kept at home out of the reach of children.

What are the health effects of biocidal products in humans? 

Biocidal products, which are used in almost every area of our lives, are toxic substances themselves, while fighting against pests. These products, which require careful use, can sometimes have very serious negative effects if they are transmitted to people in various ways.



Biocidal products enter the human body most often through the skin. It is absorbed through the skin from the hands or exposed areas of the body. Clothing worn during biocidal product application is an important source of contamination. Apart from this, it can also enter through the gastrointestinal tract through food, through the respiratory system through the air, or through the eyes.

Risk groups in terms of exposure with biocidal products:

  • Pregnant women,
  • Children,
  • Alcoholics,
  • Those with chronic disease
  • Those with weakened immune systems.

Diseases that can be caused by biocidal products:

Exposure to biocidal products may cause some diseases depending on the duration, form and amount of exposure:

  • Dermatitis,
  • Non Hodgkin Lymphoma,
  • Leukemia,
  • Multiple myeloma,
  • Liver cancer,
  • Testicular cancer,
  • Lung cancer,
  • Brain cancer,
  • Congenital anomalies,
  • Nervous system damage,
  • Behavioral disorders,
  • Reproductive system problems
  • Asthma attacks etc.

Symptoms of exposure to biocidal products:

Symptoms of acute exposure and poisoning to biocidal products, depending on the duration and amount of exposure, may include:

  • Skin burning,
  • Skin itching,
  • Infection foci on the skin,
  • Coughing, sneezing,
  • Tearing/drying eyes, itching,
  • Dryness of the nasal mucosa, itching,
  • Dry mouth,
  • Nausea, vomiting,
  • Weakness,
  • Dizziness,
  • Diarrhea, constipation,
  • Sweating,
  • Fire,

How should first aid be given in biocidal product poisoning? 

  • The cause of poisoning is learned,
  • The poisoned person is moved to the safe area,
  • Clothing contaminated with biocidal products should be removed immediately.
  • The entire body of the poisoned person is washed with plenty of clean water,
  • If there is no water, the body contaminated with the biocidal product is wiped,
  • If the poisoned person is unconscious, he is laid on his side with the head back and the chin raised,
  • If there are tremors and contractions, they can be laid comfortably and their movements are prevented, the patient’s head is protected against trauma,
  • When the poisoned person regains consciousness, no food is given by mouth.
  • If the person vomits spontaneously, the patient is turned on his side so that the stomach contents do not escape into the respiratory tract. In addition, a sample of the content is taken and taken to the hospital with the patient.
  • In case of high fever, cold application is made.
  • If the breathing of the poisoned person has stopped, basic life support is applied by people who have received first aid training.
  • The poisoned person is taken to the nearest health institution as soon as possible.
  • It is important to take the package or label of the biocidal product that causes poisoning together in order to determine the precautions to be taken in a short time.

 

 


Tags: