Working environment factors
How does Argon impact workers’ health?
Nov
This article will explore the impact of argon on workers’ health. Argon, one of the noble gases, is commonly used in many industries. However, exposure to argon can affect the health of those working in this environment. This article will delve into related studies and information to better understand the impact of argon and provide useful information for readers on how to protect their health when working in an environment containing argon.
1. What is Argon?
Argon (Ar) is a chemical element belonging to the noble gas group in the periodic table of elements, with atomic number 18. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and does not react chemically much with other substances. Argon is an important part of the atmosphere, accounting for about 0.93% of the air by volume. This element was discovered in 1894 by scientists Sir William Ramsay and Lord Rayleigh.
In industrial applications, argon is often used in welding, metal cutting, and in cryogenic applications. It can also be used in fluorescent lamps and is part of special atmospheres in antioxidant environments, where it helps preserve items like metals and food.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Argon | Argon | 28042100 | 7440-37-1 | Ar |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
2. Where does Argon originate from in the production process?
Argon is typically produced through the process of fractional distillation from air. The main raw material is air, and this process usually takes place in gas production units, where air is purified to separate its various gas components.
Specifically, the argon production process includes the following steps:
- Molecular Size Separation: Air is cooled and compressed to change it from a gaseous state to a liquid state. During this process, the different components in the air can be separated based on molecular size.
- Separation Process: After obtaining liquid air, a more detailed separation process begins. Gas production units will use methods such as filtration, absorption, or cryogenic separation to separate argon from other components like nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases.
- Argon Collection and Purification: Argon is collected and separated from other components. It is then purified to achieve the desired level of purity.
3. Industries that use Argon in production
Argon is used in many different industries due to its non-reactive and colorless nature. Here are some common industries where argon is often used:
- Welding and Metal Cutting: In the metal welding process, argon is often used as a shielding gas to prevent air and other substances from entering the weld area. It is also used in plasma metal cutting.
- Electronics Industry: Argon can be used in the production processes of electronic components, especially in cooling and anti-oxidation processes.
- Food Processing: Argon can be used to create an antioxidant atmosphere, helping to preserve food, especially in packaging food items like wine.
- Seafood Processing: In the seafood processing industry, argon is also used to create an antioxidant environment, keeping products from being contaminated.
- Medicine and Medical Industry: Argon has applications in medical devices, for example, in medical lasers and cooling processes in medical environments.
- Fluorescent Lamps: Argon is often used as a cooling agent in fluorescent lamps.
- Chemical Industry: Argon can be used in the production and purification processes of chemical compounds.
- Energy Industry: In some applications, argon can be used in cooling processes in the energy sector, especially in equipment operating at extremely low temperatures.
4. How does Argon affect workers?
Argon, with its colorless, odorless, and non-irritating properties, generally does not pose a hazard to workers’ health when it is present in the work environment at safe levels. However, there are some effects to consider when argon is present at high levels or under specific work conditions:
- Effects Due to Oxygen Deficiency: Argon does not participate in the oxygen creation process and can create an environment that reduces the oxygen concentration in the air. If not enough oxygen is ensured in the work environment, it can lead to oxygen deficiency (asphyxiation) and affect workers’ health, causing drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, and can even be harmful if not controlled.
- High-Temperature Sources: In welding and metal cutting applications, argon is often used as a shielding environment. However, if this process is not controlled properly, it can increase temperatures and create complex gases from the molten metal, which can affect workers’ health if not handled correctly.
- Long-Term Exposure: In cases where workers are exposed to argon for long periods and at high levels, it may cause undesirable effects such as headaches, fatigue, or discomfort.
To ensure worker safety, safety control measures such as exhaust fans, ventilation systems, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment are important to minimize risks and maintain a safe work environment. Industry safety regulations and guidelines also need to be followed.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Argon for human exposure
The safe concentration of argon for human exposure depends on many factors, including exposure duration, type of work, and specific working conditions. Safety regulatory agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States often establish safety limits to protect workers’ health.
Here are some safety limits commonly used for argon:
- Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): OSHA specifies a daily exposure limit for argon of 5000 parts per million (ppm) in the air over an 8-hour workday.
- Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Concentration: IDLH is a concentration level of argon that, if exceeded, could pose an immediate threat to life or serious health. The IDLH for argon is typically set at 33,000 ppm.
6. Measures to minimize the health effects of Argon on workers
To minimize the health effects of argon on workers, safety and risk control measures need to be applied. Here are some risk mitigation measures when working with argon:
- Ensure Effective Ventilation and Exhaust Fans: Use ventilation systems and exhaust fans to ensure the air in the work area is circulated and flows evenly. This helps reduce the argon ratio in the air and prevents excessive concentration buildup.
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): For jobs requiring direct contact with argon, such as during welding, workers need to use PPE like masks, safety glasses, and gloves to protect eyes, nose, and hands.
- Inspect and Maintain Control Equipment: Ensure that control equipment such as valves, tanks, and argon distribution systems are functioning correctly. Regularly inspect and maintain to avoid risks due to failure or leaks.
- Minimize Exposure Time: Limit workers’ exposure time to argon, especially in environments with high concentrations.
- Occupational safety training: Train workers on the risks associated with argon, as well as the proper use of PPE and safety measures.
- Use Warning Systems: Install warning systems to alert workers about argon concentrations exceeding safe levels. These warning devices can be sensors or automated monitoring systems.
- Adhere to Safety Regulations: Comply with safety regulations and guidelines from safety regulatory agencies like OSHA or equivalent national organizations to ensure all activities follow safety standards.
- Periodically organize working environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide working environment monitoring center
Nam Viet’s Working environment monitoring center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment in all provinces throughout Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking working environment issues. With the motto “customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and commits to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has been and is becoming one of the reputable units in the field of working environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
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8. Working environment monitoring quotation
To help businesses conduct working environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for working environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
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