Working environment factors
How Does Phosphoric Acid Affect Workers’ Health?
Nov
This article will discuss an important issue related to worker health – the effects of phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid, a chemical substance common in many industries, is frequently used in production and processing. However, the impact of this acid on the health of workers has attracted special attention. The article will delve into the latest research and information to analyze the positive and negative impacts of phosphoric acid on health, thereby helping readers get a comprehensive overview and detailed information on this issue.
1. What is Phosphoric acid?
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is a colorless, odorless acid that exists as a strong solution. It is one of the most important acids in chemistry because it participates in many different processes and applications. The chemical formula of phosphoric acid shows that it contains one phosphorus atom (P), three oxygen atoms (O), and seven hydrogen atoms (H).
Phosphoric acid has many applications in industry and daily production. One of its most important applications is in the production of fertilizers, where it is used to provide a form of phosphate, an important nutrient for plants. In addition, phosphoric acid is also used in the food industry, such as in the production of cola soft drinks, where it often appears as phosphoric acid.
However, it should be noted that with long-term exposure or at high concentrations, phosphoric acid can have negative impacts on health. Therefore, safe management and effective use are important when handling this substance in an industrial environment.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Axit photphoric | Phosphoric acid | 280920 | 7664-38-2 | H3PO4 |
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2. Where does Phosphoric acid originate from in the production process?
Phosphoric acid is typically produced mainly through the process of extracting phosphate from phosphorite or apatite minerals. Below is a general description of the phosphoric acid production process:
- Mineral Mining: Phosphoric acid can be extracted from phosphate-containing mineral sources, such as phosphorite or apatite. These ores are often mined from the earth or the seabed.
- Roasting and Mineral Processing: The phosphate ore is roasted in a furnace at high temperatures to create tri-calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2). This phosphate is then treated with sulfuric acid to create phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum, a byproduct.
- Separation and Refining: Phosphoric acid is separated from the mixture after reacting with sulfuric acid. The refining process may include steps such as impurity removal, concentration enhancement, and residue treatment.
- Formulation and Storage: The final phosphoric acid can be processed into different forms depending on the specific application, such as high-concentration phosphoric acid or phosphate salt forms.
3. Industries that use Phosphoric acid in production
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is an important chemical and is used in many different industries. Here are some of the main industries that use phosphoric acid in their production processes:
- Fertilizer Industry: Phosphoric acid is a major component of phosphate fertilizers, providing a source of phosphorus nutrition for plants, helping to promote their growth.
- Food and Beverage Industry: In the food industry, phosphoric acid is often used as an acidity regulator in soft drinks, such as in cola.
- Detergent Production: Phosphoric acid can be used in the production of cleaning products and detergents, helping to enhance their performance.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: In some cases, phosphoric acid may be used in the production of pharmaceutical products.
- Electronics Industry: In the production of electronic chips, phosphoric acid may be used in patterning and etching steps.
- Metal Processing: In some applications, phosphoric acid can be used in the process of creating anti-corrosion coatings for metals.
- Oil and Gas Industry: Phosphoric acid may be used in some applications during the oil and gas refining process.
- Paper Production: In the papermaking process, phosphoric acid may be used to adjust the pH and properties of adhesives.
4. How does Phosphoric acid affect workers
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can affect the health of workers depending on the level of exposure and the safety measures implemented during work. Here are some negative impacts that may occur when workers are exposed to phosphoric acid:
- Impact on Skin: Phosphoric acid can cause skin irritation upon direct contact. It can dry out the skin, cause irritation, and in some cases, cause chemical burns.
- Impact on Eyes: Contact with phosphoric acid can cause eye burns and damage if safety measures like wearing protective goggles are not taken.
- Respiratory: If phosphoric acid is in vapor form, inhalation can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and may create health problems such as coughing or discomfort.
- Impact on Digestive System: If workers come into contact with phosphoric acid through ingestion or swallowing, it can cause irritation and affect the digestive system.
- Impact if Exposed Long-Term: In work environments with long-term exposure to high concentrations of phosphoric acid, negative health impacts can occur, including lung and respiratory system problems.
To minimize risks for workers, safety measures such as wearing protective gear, using personal protective equipment, and adhering to safety rules are important. Additionally, it is necessary to establish air and water quality control measures in the work environment to ensure safety for workers and the surrounding environment.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Phosphoric acid for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of phosphoric acid for human exposure depends on the type of contact and the duration of exposure. Occupational safety and health regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US, typically establish safety limits for chemicals in the workplace.
Here is an example of some safety limits for phosphoric acid:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for phosphoric acid in the air is 1 mg/m³.
- ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, USA and Canada): The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for phosphoric acid in the air is 1 mg/m³.
6. Measures to minimize the impact of Phosphoric acid on worker health
To minimize the impact of phosphoric acid on worker health, several safety and risk management measures can be applied. Here are some important measures:
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Especially when working in environments with direct contact with phosphoric acid, workers need to wear full personal protective equipment, including safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant clothing, and chemical-resistant masks.
- Occupational safety training: Training workers on the risks of phosphoric acid and how to use it safely is important. They need to know how to deal with emergency situations and use personal protective equipment correctly.
- Chemical Management: The organization should implement measures to minimize exposure to phosphoric acid, such as applying safe work procedures, using automatic shut-off systems, and providing spill containment materials in case of leaks.
- Work Environment Monitoring: Ensure that the air in the work environment does not contain phosphoric acid concentrations exceeding safety limits. Conduct regular checks and ensure the ventilation system is effective.
- Schedule Periodic Medical Check-ups: Conduct periodic health check-ups for workers to monitor any health problems that may arise from exposure to phosphoric acid.
- Safe Waste Disposal: If there is phosphoric acid waste, manage it safely according to prescribed guidelines to prevent it from harming the environment and worker health.
- Periodically organize work environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Work Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Work environment monitoring center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the work 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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8. Price quote for work environment monitoring
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