Working environment factors
How does heat radiation affect workers’ health?
Apr
In modern life, advances in science and technology have ushered us into a new era where thermal radiation has become an indispensable part of life and work. From natural sunlight to machinery used in labor such as electric welding, metal furnaces, and more. However, few realize that exposure to thermal radiation can have profound effects on human health, especially for workers.
Thermal radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that the human eye cannot see. Although we cannot see it, the effects of thermal radiation can cause unwanted health impacts for workers such as discomfort, fatigue, and stress on the human body. In addition, long-term exposure to thermal radiation can lead to deeper effects, such as weakening the immune system, respiratory diseases, and seriously affecting the enzymes in various cells of the body.
1. What is Thermal Radiation?
Thermal radiation is the heat transferred from a hot object to a cooler one not through direct contact but emitted as electromagnetic waves due to the thermal motion of atoms or molecules, including infrared rays, visible light, and ultraviolet rays.
Currently, thermal radiation has many practical applications, including in medical treatment, security screening, and diagnosing diseases in healthcare. Moreover, thermal radiation also contributes to economics, engineering, and daily life.
Despite positive applications in industry and healthcare, thermal radiation can also have harmful effects on human health, specifically:
- Solar radiation is the main cause of skin and eye damage due to the enormous amount of ultraviolet rays from the sun. As we know, higher UV levels cause greater harm to human health, such as skin darkening, cataracts, and premature skin aging.
- Thermal radiation can weaken the immune system and cause respiratory diseases and even directly affect human reproductive capacity.
- Thermal radiation can seriously affect the enzymes in various cells of the body.
2. Sources of Thermal Radiation in Manufacturing Plants
In a manufacturing plant, thermal radiation can arise from various sources. Here are some main sources causing thermal radiation in production environments:
- Machines operating continuously during production can generate thermal radiation. This can result from the movement of machine parts, electrical processes, or the operation of motors and heating lamps in machinery.
- Cooling systems and boilers often operate continuously to maintain temperature and production processes. The cooling and steam generation processes can produce thermal radiation from pipes, compressors, tanks, and other equipment.
- Industries such as food processing, metallurgy, and high-temperature processing can generate thermal radiation. This may come from ovens, furnaces, steamers, boilers, incinerators, and other equipment used in production.
- Heating and lighting lamps in factories can also generate thermal radiation. Especially halogen lamps, infrared heaters, and xenon lamps can emit high heat and significant thermal radiation.
- Heat reactions, distillation, and fuel production processes can also produce thermal radiation. Equipment and pipes in these processes can transfer heat from reactions and generate thermal radiation.
3. Occupations with Harmful Thermal Radiation Exposure
Some occupations involve thermal radiation that poses risks to workers. Examples include:
- Industries such as metallurgy, metalworking, and welding often face high temperatures and thermal radiation from furnaces, welding ovens, rolling mills, forging furnaces, metal processing machines, etc.
- The food industry, involving cooking, melting, and food processing using ovens, boilers, steamers, and other high-temperature equipment, can endanger workers, especially without proper protective measures.
- Chemical plants, with processes like heat reactions, distillation, and fuel production.
- Electrical and electronics industry, involving electronic devices, computers, components, and circuits.
- Construction workers and building projects.
- Other occupations with thermal radiation exposure.
4. How Thermal Radiation Affects Workers’ Comfort
Thermal radiation can greatly impact workers’ comfort in the workplace. Here are some ways it affects them:
- Thermal radiation can increase the temperature in the work environment, causing heat discomfort and making workers feel uneasy. This can reduce work efficiency and cause fatigue.
- It can decrease air humidity, and when the working environment becomes too dry, workers may experience dry skin, difficulty breathing, and dehydration.
- If not properly managed and controlled, thermal radiation can lead to serious health problems. Workers may suffer burns, dehydration, and health risks related to high temperatures, such as headaches, dizziness, exhaustion, and even heat stroke.
Thus, managing thermal radiation in the workplace is essential to ensure workers’ comfort and health. Measures like providing shielding devices and proper ventilation systems help prevent unwanted risks and improve work efficiency.
5. Safe Levels of Thermal Radiation in Manufacturing Plants
Thermal radiation intensity per exposed area (W/m2):
- 35 when exposed to over 50% of the body surface area.
- 70 when exposed to 25% to 50% of the body surface area.
- 100 when exposed to less than 25% of the body surface area.
6. Occupational Diseases Caused by Long-Term Exposure to Harmful Thermal Radiation
Long-term exposure to harmful thermal radiation may lead to:
- Skin-related diseases such as dermatitis, psoriasis, pigmentation, scarring, and increased risk of skin cancer due to high temperatures.
- Chronic exposure can cause heat stress, body exhaustion, and fatigue.
- Thermal radiation can lead to dehydration, causing fatigue, dry eyes, breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalance.
- Respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems.
- Long-term exposure may also affect various body systems, weakening immunity, causing stress, and impacting circulatory, nervous, and endocrine systems.
7. Measures to Minimize the Impact of Thermal Radiation on Workers’ Health
To minimize the effects of thermal radiation on workers’ health, appropriate protective measures should be implemented. Some measures include:
- Improve workplace ventilation to reduce temperature and increase airflow. Use fans and cooling systems to provide fresh air and lower temperatures.
- Ensure workers are equipped with proper personal protective equipment. Proper PPE protects the body from adverse effects and keeps workers safe.
- Training for workers: Educate workers on protective measures when working in environments affected by thermal radiation, enabling them to safeguard their health.
- Adjust work schedules to minimize direct exposure to thermal radiation. If possible, plan work during cooler periods of the day or implement shift rotation.
- Ensure workers have sufficient rest in a cool environment to recover and restore energy. Provide adequate drinking water to prevent dehydration and maintain proper body hydration.
- Periodically conduct workplace environmental monitoring in factories, collect and analyze harmful factors, and adjust to reduce risks to prevent occupational diseases.
These measures help reduce the impact of thermal radiation on workers’ health and improve their work performance.
8. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet Occupational Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring workplace environmental quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring devices, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to monitoring services, the center assists clients in planning, processing, and tracking workplace environmental issues. With the motto “customer-centric,” the center prioritizes customer satisfaction, meeting all client needs and providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, equipment, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City, with objectives including:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our services.
- We provide clients with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- Alongside a team of experienced Masters and Engineers dedicated to environmental protection and business benefits.
- With Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from field experts, along with the best cost advantages.
9. Workplace Environmental Monitoring Price List
To help businesses conduct professional and effective workplace environmental monitoring, Nam Viet provides clients with a price list of workplace environmental monitoring services that is both high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our price list provides detailed information on the costs of monitoring services, including travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting. Clients can be confident in the accuracy and reliability of our monitoring reports.
- We commit to providing the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market and are always ready to consult and answer any questions professionally and promptly.
- With Nam Viet’s price list, clients can easily select service packages suitable for their needs. We are committed to providing the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
