Nonane (C9H18) is a common chemical in manufacturing plants, but few know about its potential impact on workers’ health. This article will explore in detail the effects of Nonane on health, from dangerous symptoms to necessary protective measures. Let’s learn together to protect our health and improve occupational safety in work environments where this chemical is used!
1. What is Nonane?
Nonane, with the chemical formula C9H18, is a hydrocarbon belonging to the alkane group. It is a colorless liquid with a mild odor, and is known as a component of gasoline mixtures or other organic solvents. Nonane is composed of nine carbon atoms and eighteen hydrogen atoms, linked together in a straight chain.
In industry, nonane is widely used in applications such as solvents, thinners, and in other manufacturing processes. Due to its volatile nature and good solubility, it often appears in products like paints, detergents, and industrial chemicals.
Because nonane can easily evaporate into the air, long-term exposure or exposure at high concentrations can cause negative effects on human health. Therefore, a clear understanding of the characteristics and properties of nonane is very important, especially in a work environment where this chemical is used.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Nonan | Nonane | 29011000 | 111-84-2 | C9H18 |
See more: Chemical Safety Training service according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Nonane originate from in the production process?
This chemical often appears in many industrial production processes, and its origin is mainly related to the processing of petroleum and natural gas. In the petrochemical industry, nonane is a by-product of the crude oil distillation process, separated along with other compounds in distillation equipment.
When crude oil is distilled, it separates into fractions with different boiling points. Nonane, with a boiling point of around 150-170°C, is in the fraction collected during this process. Nonane can also be produced from natural gas, through the process of extracting and processing light hydrocarbons present in natural gas.
In addition, nonane can also appear in other chemical processes such as the synthesis of organic chemicals or in refined petrochemical products. Factories that produce chemicals, solvents, and consumer products containing nonane may generate this gas during production and use.
A clear understanding of the sources of nonane helps to identify and control the presence of this substance in the work environment, thereby enabling effective preventive measures to protect the health of workers and ensure safety in production.

3. Industries that use Nonane in production
Nonane, with its characteristic of being a volatile hydrocarbon with good solubility, is widely used in many industries. In the chemical manufacturing sector, nonane is used primarily as a solvent in processing and chemical synthesis. In particular, it plays a crucial role in dissolving solid substances or other compounds in chemical formulations.
The oil and gas industry also uses nonane in the processing of petroleum and natural gas. Nonane appears as a by-product in the distillation of crude oil, and it is often used to formulate gasoline and other fuel products. In this industry, nonane is not only an important component but also an indicator of the quality of petroleum products.
In addition, nonane is also used in the paint and detergent industry. Here, nonane acts as a solvent that helps dissolve and dilute the components of paints, inks, and detergents, improving the adhesion and uniformity of the product. The volatile nature of nonane also helps these products dry faster after application.
The consumer products industry, such as cosmetics and personal care, also uses nonane in some products. Nonane can be found in the formulations of hair styling products, sunscreens, and other skin care products.
4. How does Nonane affect workers?
Nonane, despite its many industrial applications, can also cause serious health effects for workers if not properly controlled. When exposed to nonane, especially in a work environment with high concentrations or for long periods, workers may face concerning health issues.
First and foremost, exposure to nonane can cause respiratory irritation symptoms. Workers may experience difficulty breathing, coughing, and irritation of the nasal and throat mucous membranes. These symptoms often occur when inhaling nonane vapor, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
In addition, nonane can also cause skin problems. Direct contact with liquid nonane can lead to skin irritation, including redness, itching, and dry skin. In some severe cases, nonane can cause contact dermatitis, a more serious skin condition with sores and rashes.
The long-term health effects of nonane can be more severe. Inhaling nonane over a long period can cause problems with lung function and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases. Studies show that continuous exposure to nonane can reduce respiratory capacity and damage the lungs.
Furthermore, nonane can affect the central nervous system. Workers may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea when exposed to high concentrations of nonane. In cases of long-term exposure, these symptoms can become more severe and affect the work ability and quality of life of workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Nonane for human exposure
To ensure safety when working with nonane, it is very important to adhere to regulations on safe concentration levels. Nonane, like many other organic compounds, can be harmful to health when exposed at high concentrations or for long periods. Therefore, labor and health regulatory agencies have established permissible exposure limits to protect workers from the risks associated with nonane.
According to the regulations of organizations such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists), a concentration not exceeding 200 ppm (parts per million) in the work air is considered safe for workers. This is the maximum concentration to which a worker can be exposed without experiencing serious health effects.
In addition to the maximum concentration level, the duration of exposure also needs to be controlled to minimize risk. Guidelines often recommend that the concentration of nonane in the air should not exceed 200 ppm over an 8-hour workday. For jobs with long-term or frequent exposure to nonane, measures to minimize exposure, such as improving ventilation systems and using personal protective equipment, should be implemented.
Measuring and monitoring the concentration of nonane in the work environment also plays an important role in ensuring safety. Specialized measuring devices can be used to determine the actual concentration of nonane in the air and help adjust preventive measures if necessary.

On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Nonane. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Nonane on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of nonane on workers, it is necessary to implement a series of effective preventive and control measures. These measures not only help protect the health of workers but also ensure a safe and friendly work environment.
First, improving ventilation in the work area is a key factor. A good ventilation system helps to reduce the concentration of nonane in the air and limit the accumulation of this chemical. This can be done by installing exhaust fans or ventilation systems to clean the air and maintain the nonane concentration at a safe level.
Next, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a necessary measure. Equipment such as dust masks, gloves, and safety glasses can help reduce direct contact with nonane. In particular, in areas with high concentrations of nonane, the use of specialized masks can protect workers from inhaling nonane vapor.
In addition to using PPE, there should be safe work procedures to minimize exposure to nonane. This includes training workers on the risks associated with nonane and how to use protective equipment effectively. At the same time, maintaining personal hygiene measures such as washing hands frequently and not eating or drinking in the work area also contributes to health protection.
Controlling the concentration of nonane in the air is also an important part of the health protection strategy. Specialized measuring devices should be used to monitor the nonane concentration and ensure that it does not exceed the safe level. If a high concentration is detected, immediate corrective measures such as increasing ventilation or adjusting the work process should be taken.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this type of 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, and from there, adjust to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, processing, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with customer satisfaction, meeting all of the customer’s needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, 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 objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide our customers with the best and most suitable things possible.
- Along with a team of Masters and Engineers with extensive experience and expertise, we desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.

- Coming to the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service with experts in the field of monitoring. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Price Quotation for Workplace Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out workplace environment monitoring in a professional and effective manner, we at Nam Viet provide our customers with a quality and reasonably priced price quotation for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring price list provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we are offering. It includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Our valued 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 also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about the monitoring service in the quickest and most professional manner.
- With Nam Viet’s price quotation, our valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.

