Bao'an District, Shenzhen, the whole city "tongwei" inferior glue

In the past few days, Bao’an District Health Supervision and Administration Department conducted a large-scale investigation of inferior glue in the area and rectified three companies that used 1.2-dichloroethane and had hidden occupational hazards of varying degrees.

Some time ago, many small-scale processing plants in Guangzhou City appeared to have suspected occupational acute 1.2-dichloroethane poisoning due to the use of inferior glue. It is understood that the factories where poisoning occurs are mainly distributed in shoe-making, leather goods, and luggage processing companies. The inferior glue used is almost a “three-none” adhesive without manufacturer's logo, and no qualified instructions and labels; The agent contains highly toxic 1.2-dichloroethane. The ventilation in the place of use is poor, and the worker lacks personal protective measures. Eventually, it causes an accident.

1.2-Dichloroethane is a highly toxic solvent that can cause toxic encephalopathy by inhalation, leaving serious sequelae or death. 1.2-Dichloroethane poisoning is difficult to treat but completely preventable. The principle of prevention is: "early discovery, early replacement, ventilation, and protection."

After receiving the notification of the incident in Guangzhou, Bao’an District Health Supervision Organization immediately organized a large-scale investigation of companies that may use adhesives in their jurisdictions. As of February 24, Bao'an District conducted a total of 175 enterprises of leather, bags, shoes, etc., and found that there were 3 companies using 1.2-dichloroethane, and all had hidden dangers of varying degrees. Under the supervision and supervision of Bao’an District Health Supervision Department, there were 2 adhesives with 1.2-dichloroethane discontinued, and another one implemented ventilation measures and personal protective equipment according to the rectification requirements to eliminate hidden dangers of poisoning. In addition, during the investigation, the Bao’an District Health Supervision Department also assisted relevant departments in the investigation and disposal of an underground supplier who provided 1.2-dichloroethane adhesive.

Reminder reminds that the use of adhesives must be well ventilated. The Bao'an District Health Supervision Bureau reminded the majority of companies and workers that when purchasing adhesives, they should use non-toxic or low-grade drugs instead of toxic and high-grade drugs. Be sure to ask the supplier for detailed instructions in Chinese (such as "Chemical Safety Data Sheet" and "Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)"). Products should have prominent warning signs and Chinese warning instructions and other packaging labels. If the ingredients are unknown, they can be sent to the technical service department such as the CDC or the local preventive health care center for component analysis. Locations where adhesives are used must be well ventilated and employees should be aware of the use of qualified personal protective equipment. Because 1.2-dichloroethane poisoning is similar to the "heavy cold" in the early stage, it is easy to be misdiagnosed and delay treatment and lead to serious consequences, so we must be vigilant. When the symptoms of dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting occur after contact, they should be promptly removed from the scene and treated.