Working environment factors
How does Xerium affect workers’ health?
Oct
Cerium (Ce) is a chemical used in many manufacturing plants, but few people know about its potential effects on workers’ health. This article will help you understand how Cerium affects health, from the risk of poisoning to the necessary safety protection measures.
1. What is Cerium?
Cerium (Ce) is a chemical element belonging to the lanthanide group, with atomic number 58 on the periodic table. Cerium is a silvery-gray, soft, and malleable metal, classified as a rare earth element, and was discovered in 1803 by scientists Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger. Cerium has the simple chemical formula Ce and is one of the most abundant elements in the lanthanide group.
In nature, Cerium often occurs in oxide form, and its compounds are found in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite. What is special about Cerium is its ability to easily change its oxidation state, from +3 to +4, making it an important catalyst in many industrial processes, including the production of glass, ceramics, and automotive catalysts.
With its unique chemical properties, Cerium is often used in the production and processing of advanced materials. However, due to its strong reactivity with water and air, strict safety measures must be applied when handling this element in the work environment, especially in manufacturing plants.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Xeri | Cerium | 28053000 | 7440-45-1 | Ce |
See more about our chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Cerium originate from in the production process?
This element arises from various sources during the production process, especially in industries that use this chemical to manufacture and process materials. In nature, Cerium exists mainly in minerals like monazite and bastnäsite, which are mined and then refined to extract Cerium. This process involves chemical treatments where Cerium is separated as an oxide or other compounds, depending on the intended use.
In the manufacturing industry, Cerium is widely used as a catalyst in automotive exhaust systems, helping to reduce harmful emissions. Additionally, Cerium is used in the production of glass and ceramics, where it helps create specific colors and transparency in the products. During this process, Cerium particles can be generated as dust or gaseous compounds when materials are heated or processed.
Some other processes can also generate Cerium, such as in the production of special alloys or in the electronics industry, where Cerium is used as a conductor and in semiconductor components. Battery and fuel cell manufacturing plants may also generate Cerium during chemical processing.
All these processes pose a risk of releasing Cerium into the air or work environment as dust or gas, or through direct skin contact with workers if not strictly controlled.
3. Industries that use Cerium in production
Cerium is used in many manufacturing industries, primarily due to its special chemical properties, such as its ability to change oxidation states and its stability at high temperatures. One of the most important industries using Cerium is the automotive industry. Cerium is a key component in catalytic converters for automobiles, helping to reduce harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC), contributing to cleaner air and environmental protection.
The glass and ceramics industry is also a major user of Cerium. In glass production, Cerium is added to control the color and transparency of the product. Cerium oxide also acts as a polishing agent in the production of mirrors and TV screens. Cerium’s resistance to abrasion and oxidation makes it a crucial element in this industry.
The special alloys and metals industry also uses Cerium, particularly in creating heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloys. These alloys are often used in aerospace technology, ships, and other industrial applications that require durability in harsh environmental conditions.
Furthermore, Cerium is used in the electronics industry, especially in the production of semiconductor devices and modern electronic components. Thanks to its good electrical conductivity and stable chemical properties, Cerium is used as a component in capacitors and fuel cells.
4. How does Cerium affect workers?
Cerium can cause many negative health effects for workers upon exposure during production, especially in industrial environments where this chemical is used or processed. When Cerium exists as fine dust or gas, inhalation can cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. Cerium dust particles can enter the lungs, causing long-term problems, from chronic inflammation to the risk of developing serious lung diseases.
Additionally, direct skin contact with Cerium can cause irritation or dermatitis, especially if workers are not equipped with adequate personal protective equipment such as gloves and protective clothing. Prolonged contact can damage the skin, causing inflammation or infection.
Another major risk is that Cerium can cause harm if ingested, although this is not a common route of exposure in production. However, a lack of personal hygiene, such as eating or drinking in the work area, can lead to unknowingly inhaling or ingesting Cerium dust particles.
In the long term, exposure to Cerium can affect internal organs such as the liver and kidneys. Cerium can accumulate in the body, and if not eliminated or controlled, it can impair the function of these organs. Research also indicates that Cerium can be neurotoxic if exposed to high doses over a long period.
However, the extent of Cerium’s effects depends on the dose and duration of exposure. If safety measures are not strictly implemented, workers are more likely to be exposed to Cerium, increasing the risk of occupational diseases.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Cerium for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of Cerium for human exposure is regulated to ensure that workers do not suffer adverse health effects during their work. International health and occupational safety agencies have set specific limits on the level of Cerium exposure in the air and the work environment to minimize health risks.
According to regulations from many occupational safety organizations, such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the safe concentration of Cerium in the air is limited to a range of 1 mg/m³ to 5 mg/m³ over an 8-hour workday. This is the maximum exposure level a worker can tolerate without causing serious health problems. However, this level may vary depending on the regulations of each country or region, as well as the specific nature of the work environment.
Furthermore, environmental monitoring measures and periodic checks of Cerium concentration in the workplace air are necessary to ensure compliance with these safety limits. If the Cerium concentration is found to exceed the permissible level, immediate corrective actions must be taken, such as improving the ventilation system, providing better personal protective equipment for workers, or adjusting production processes to reduce the emission of Cerium dust and gas.
Maintaining Cerium concentration within safe limits not only protects workers’ health but also minimizes potential legal risks and medical costs for the business.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Cerium. 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 health effects of Cerium on workers
To minimize the health effects of Cerium on workers, protective and exposure control measures are extremely important and must be strictly implemented in the workplace. First, ensuring a good and effective ventilation system is a prerequisite to prevent the accumulation of Cerium dust and gas in the air. Ventilation systems should be designed to quickly exhaust contaminated air while supplying clean air to the work area. This helps minimize the risk of inhaling Cerium dust, one of the main causes of respiratory diseases.
Besides that, personal protective measures are indispensable. Workers must be fully equipped with protective gear, including fine dust masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing. Masks that can filter fine dust of small sizes should be used to prevent the entry of Cerium particles into the body through the respiratory tract. These measures help protect workers from direct contact with Cerium and limit long-term exposure to harmful elements.
Additionally, training and raising awareness about occupational safety for workers are essential. Training courses on prevention methods, proper use of protective equipment, and safe work procedures should be conducted regularly. Workers should also be instructed on how to identify potential hazards from Cerium and know how to handle incidents, such as when the Cerium concentration in the air exceeds safe levels.
Safe work procedures also play a crucial role in minimizing exposure to Cerium. Factories and production facilities need to implement measures to reduce the generation of Cerium dust and gas during production, such as using enclosed equipment and adjusting production processes to generate less dust and toxic gas. At the same time, regular maintenance and inspection of processing equipment, such as air filters, also help control pollution levels and reduce risks for workers.
Finally, regular health check-ups for workers are an important measure to detect early signs of illness due to Cerium exposure. Periodic health tests can help monitor exposure levels and detect signs of respiratory diseases, skin problems, or other issues related to Cerium. Early detection will allow for timely intervention, protecting workers’ health and minimizing the long-term effects of Cerium.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about the risks and safety measures when working with this chemical. This training should be provided periodically and frequently to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Occupational Environment Monitoring
The occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet 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, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and committing 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 occupational 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 solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced price list for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our 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.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
