Standard specifications laid down for domestic use insecticides

Muscat: The Directorate General of Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that Gulf Standard Organisations’ standards for insecticides of domestic use "GSO 1832" were for insecticides packed with aerosols, which are spread by manual pressure for domestic use against insects. This standard specification does not apply to aerosol cans, which are fitted with LED, as well as aerosols, which are spread and emptied at once.
Nadia Bint Mohammed bin Hamoud Al Seyabiyah, Head of Chemical and Petroleum Products Specifications Department in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said: "The unified standard specifications of the Gulf define aerosol as a self-filled chemical product which can be converted into a spray by a propellant which is either liquid or compressed to discharge the contents of the package."
She also said that aerosol was defined as a non-refillable package, with a valve to dispose of the contents in the form of a spray when pressed, and the product is packed under pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure with the impact of the propellant.
The driving material is defined in the specification as liquefied or compressed gas with higher pressure than atmospheric pressure at normal temperatures with which the can is filled to obtain the necessary pressure to discharge its contents.
Terms and conditions of availability
Al Seyabiyah said that the specification determined the requirements for domestic insecticides, including the absence of substances harmful to human health under normal conditions of use, especially halogenated hydrocarbons, and that the substances in the pesticide are chemically inert substances which are harmless, and that it should be sufficient to discharge at least 96 per cent of the contents of the package or can. The standard also requires that the packaging filled with the household insecticide should be metallic, not interact with the pesticide components, and not change the packaging properties under normal storage conditions.
Tests
She also said that to ensure compliance of these domestic use insecticides with this unified Gulf standard, they have to undergo certain tests, including external inspection, measurement of discharge rate, net content measure, detection of compounds Chlorofluorocarbon and performance of the pesticide. These specifications also describe the details, which are required to be mentioned on the detail card of the domestic use insecticide. These required details are product name, brand, country of origin, date of production, operation number, total weight, net weight of contents in grams or size in millilitres, composition (basic components), action time 50 per cent and action after 24 hours, phrases or warning signs related to use, storage, circulation, health and safety.
Explanatory data
To safeguard the health and safety of the consumer and to ensure that the insecticide reaches him safely, the standard specification has set storage, transport and handling terms and conditions. The aerosol packs should be stored in appropriate shipping boxes to protect them from damage during shipment, handling and storage. The containers should be stored in a place with temperatures not exceeding 50°C and kept away from direct sunlight, heat sources and flammable materials and should apply safety requirements for the transport of such materials.
Types of pesticides
Insecticides are household and domestic necessities for controlling cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and mice. Insecticides vary between tablets placed in an electrically operated device, under the beds, and between pressure. Studies indicate that the insecticides have toxic effects as they contain certain materials such as compounds of organic phosphorus, which are highly poisonous. There are also certain other components that pose some threats to human health, particularly those who deal with them.
She urged users of insecticides to take all preventive measures to prevent their inhalation, by rationalising their consumption and indiscriminate use, and keeping them away from children or keeping children away from the areas where these insecticides were sprayed, use of protective gloves, special clothing during the spraying of the insecticide, storing them in high places out of the reach of children and not to leave food exposed or opened when the insecticides are sprayed.