Working environment factors
How does Fumaryl Chloride affect workers’ health?
May
Fumaryl chloride is an organic compound used in various industries, including the production of plastics, paints, and pharmaceuticals. However, it is also a hazardous chemical that can cause many harmful effects to workers’ health if directly exposed. This article will discuss the specific effects of fumaryl chloride on the health of workers in manufacturing plants that use this chemical.
1. What is Fumaryl chloride?
Fumaryl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula C4H2O2Cl2. It belongs to the class of derivatives of fumaric acid, a simple unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. Fumaryl chloride exists as a solid crystal, white to light yellow, with a characteristic pungent odor.
In terms of structure, fumaryl chloride has an open-chain structure, containing two chlorine atoms bonded to the two carbonyl groups (C=O) of fumaric acid. The carbon-carbon double bonds (C=C) in the fumaryl chloride molecule make it an unsaturated molecule, affecting its chemical properties.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Fumaryl clorua | Fumaryl chloride | 29171900 | 627-63-4 | C4H2O2Cl2 |
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2. Where does Fumaryl chloride originate from in the production process?
Fumaryl chloride is not available in nature and is prepared through chemical reactions. The most common production method is the reaction between fumaric acid and thionyl chloride (SOCl2) in the presence of a catalyst.
In this reaction, the hydroxyl (OH) group of fumaric acid is replaced by a chlorine (Cl) atom from thionyl chloride. The catalysts commonly used are iron or zinc chloride compounds, which help speed up the reaction and improve overall efficiency.
In addition, there are several other less common methods for preparing fumaryl chloride. For example, the reaction between fumaric acid and phthaloyl chloride (C6H4O2Cl2) can also produce fumaryl chloride but requires more complex reaction conditions.
3. Industries that use Fumaryl chloride in production
Fumaryl chloride plays an important role in many different industries, including:
- Plastics industry: Fumaryl chloride is used as a monomer in the synthesis of unsaturated polyester resins. Polyester resins have many applications in life, for example, in the production of bottles, composite materials, paints, and gelcoats.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Fumaryl chloride is an intermediate in the production of some pharmaceuticals, especially drugs for skin diseases and cancer.
- Chemical manufacturing industry: Fumaryl chloride is used to prepare other organic compounds, such as malic acid and tartaric acid, which play important roles in the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial products.
- Consumer goods industry: Fumaryl chloride can be used in the production of some specialized glues and adhesives.
4. How does Fumaryl chloride affect workers?
Fumaryl chloride is classified as a toxic substance and can cause serious health problems for workers if directly contacted or inhaled. Here are some of the effects of fumaryl chloride on workers:
- Respiratory irritation: When inhaling fumaryl chloride vapor, workers may experience respiratory irritation symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, sore throat, and runny nose. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of fumaryl chloride can lead to more serious lung diseases.
- Skin and eye irritation: Fumaryl chloride can cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact. Common symptoms include redness, burning, blistering, and corneal damage.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Ingesting fumaryl chloride can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
- Long-term effects: Some studies suggest that long-term exposure to fumaryl chloride may increase the risk of cancer. However, more research is needed to clearly establish this link.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Fumaryl chloride for human exposure
Fumaryl chloride (Fumaryl clorua) is a volatile organic compound used in the production of many other chemicals. Like other chemicals, exposure to Fumaryl chloride can cause adverse health effects on humans. Therefore, establishing an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) is very important to protect workers.
According to reputable occupational safety organizations, the recommended permissible exposure concentration for Fumaryl chloride in the working environment is:
- Time-Weighted Average (TWA): 10 ppm (parts per million by volume) for 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
- Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 20 ppm, for no more than 15 minutes and a maximum of 4 times per work shift, with at least 60 minutes between exposures.
Basically, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Fumaryl chloride. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide safety guidelines and principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Fumaryl chloride on workers’ health
Fumaryl chloride can cause health problems such as skin, eye, and respiratory system irritation, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. To minimize these effects on workers’ health, the following technical and administrative control measures should be implemented:
Technical controls:
- Ventilation: Maintain an effective local exhaust ventilation system to draw Fumaryl chloride vapor away from the workers’ breathing zone.
- Dust control: Use ventilation systems and dust collection equipment to minimize the concentration of Fumaryl chloride in the air.
- Closed-loop processes: Prioritize the use of closed systems to minimize workers’ direct contact with Fumaryl chloride.
- Regular equipment maintenance: Perform periodic maintenance on technical control equipment to ensure effective operation.
Administrative controls:
- Establish chemical safety regulations: Develop and issue specific chemical safety regulations for Fumaryl chloride, including preventive measures, spill handling, and instructions for using personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Employee training: Provide in-depth training on the hazards of Fumaryl chloride, preventive measures, spill handling, and how to properly use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Periodic health monitoring: Implement periodic health monitoring programs for workers regularly exposed to Fumaryl chloride.
- Classification and labeling: Fumaryl chloride must be classified and labeled with warnings according to regulations to help identify related hazards.
By implementing a combination of the technical and administrative control measures mentioned above, businesses can create a safer working environment and minimize health risks for workers exposed to Fumaryl chloride.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide workplace environment monitoring center
Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment in all provinces and cities in 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 customers in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in technology, engineering, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following goals:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
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- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation list for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation list provides detailed price information for 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.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation list, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
