Working environment factors
How does Cyanamide affect workers’ health?
Oct
Cyanamide (CH2N2) is a dangerous chemical that can cause serious health effects for workers in a manufacturing plant environment. This article will clarify the health risks from cyanamide and the necessary protective measures to ensure worker safety.
1. What is Cyanamide?
With the chemical formula CH2N2, Cyanamide is an inorganic compound containing carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms. It is a chemical widely used in industry, especially in the production of fertilizers and other chemical products. Cyanamide has the special property of reacting strongly with water to form ammonia and cyanuric acid, making it a corrosive and toxic substance.
With this chemical characteristic, cyanamide is not only an important raw material in production but can also cause significant harm to human health if not used correctly. Therefore, a clear understanding of cyanamide, from its chemical structure to its special properties, helps workers and managers in manufacturing plants apply the necessary safety measures to protect their health.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Xianamit | Cyanamide | 28530000 | 420-04-2 | CH2N2 |
See more about the chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Cyanamide originate from in the production process?
The compound Cyanamide originates mainly from production processes in the chemical industry, especially in the manufacturing of fertilizers, pesticides, and some other industrial products. During production, cyanamide is created through chemical reactions between basic raw materials such as calcium carbide (CaC2) and nitrogen (N2) under high-temperature conditions. This is a common method for producing cyanamide for industrial applications.
Besides, cyanamide can also appear in other production processes, such as when manufacturing other types of chemicals or during the treatment of industrial wastewater. In manufacturing plants that use cyanamide, this compound can be generated from various sources like dust, gas vapors, or in liquid waste. Therefore, workers in these environments can be exposed to cyanamide through inhalation, direct skin contact, or even ingestion if safety measures are not followed.
3. Industries that use Cyanamide in production
Cyanamide is used in many different industries, especially those that require the use of chemicals to produce products such as fertilizers, pesticides, and other industrial goods. One of the main industries that uses cyanamide is the fertilizer manufacturing industry. Cyanamide plays an important role in the production of nitrogen fertilizers, which help improve crop growth by providing a rich source of nutrients. Fertilizers containing cyanamide also help increase the soil’s nitrogen absorption capacity, thereby improving the quality of agricultural products.
Besides the agricultural sector, cyanamide is also applied in the pesticide manufacturing industry. It is a key ingredient in the production of pesticides that are effective in preventing various pests and diseases that harm crops. Cyanamide has bactericidal and fungicidal properties, so it is widely used to protect crops from harmful agents.
In addition, cyanamide is also used in some other industries such as the production of organic compounds, plastics, rubber, or in the construction materials manufacturing industry.
4. How does Cyanamide affect workers?
Cyanamide can cause serious health effects for workers if not properly controlled and protected in the work environment. Due to its toxic nature, cyanamide can enter the body through various routes, such as inhaling cyanamide vapor or dust, direct skin contact, or through the digestive tract if accidentally swallowed. These impacts can cause numerous health problems, from mild symptoms like skin and eye irritation to more severe illnesses.
When a worker is exposed to cyanamide, the respiratory system is the first organ that can be affected. Inhaling cyanamide dust particles or vapor can cause respiratory tract irritation, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, or even bronchitis. If exposure is prolonged, cyanamide can cause long-term damage to the lungs, affecting the worker’s respiratory capacity.
In addition to affecting the respiratory system, cyanamide can also cause skin and eye problems. Direct skin contact can cause irritation, rashes, or mild burns. If it comes into contact with the eyes, cyanamide can cause redness, tearing, or more severely, corneal damage, leading to blurred vision. Workers in environments where cyanamide is used need to be particularly careful to protect sensitive skin areas, especially the eyes and face.
Furthermore, cyanamide can also affect other internal organs such as the liver and kidneys with long-term or high-concentration exposure. Some studies indicate that cyanamide can cause liver function problems, increasing the risk of liver diseases. If not treated promptly, cyanamide can also have long-term negative effects, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of cancers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Cyanamide for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of cyanamide for human exposure is strictly regulated by functional authorities and international organizations to protect the health of workers in the work environment. The determination of this safe concentration is based on scientific research and data on the effects of cyanamide on the human body. These values are established to ensure that workers are not overexposed to the chemical, thereby minimizing the risk of poisoning or long-term diseases.
According to international standards, such as the regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and environmental protection agencies like OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the concentration of cyanamide in the air should not exceed 2 mg/m³ over an 8-hour work shift. This is the maximum limit that a worker can be exposed to without experiencing immediate serious health problems. However, this level only applies in cases with strict control over the work environment and personal protective measures.
Additionally, in some industries, the safe concentration of cyanamide may vary depending on the level of use and the condition of the work environment.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Cyanamide. 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 Cyanamide on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of cyanamide on workers, applying safety and protective measures is extremely important. These measures not only help limit direct contact with the chemical but also protect workers from long-term negative health impacts.
One of the first and most important measures is to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers. Equipment such as dust masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing must be used correctly throughout the work process. Masks capable of filtering cyanamide dust particles in the air reduce the likelihood of inhaling chemical particles, while gloves and protective clothing help limit direct skin contact. In particular, when working in an environment with high concentrations of cyanamide, workers should wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from chemical splashes that can cause irritation or corneal damage.
Besides the use of protective equipment, the ventilation system in the factory or production workshop also plays a crucial role in reducing the spread of cyanamide in the air. An effective ventilation system will help circulate the air and remove cyanamide vapors or dust, reducing the concentration of this substance in the workspace. This not only helps protect workers but also reduces the risk of respiratory-related illnesses.
In addition, training and raising awareness for workers about the risks associated with cyanamide and preventive measures are essential. Workers need to be instructed on how to use protective equipment correctly, safe work procedures, and how to respond in case of a chemical incident. Managers also need to regularly inspect and monitor the work environment, measuring the concentration of cyanamide in the air to ensure it remains at a safe level.
Finally, process control measures are also an indispensable factor. Improving production processes, minimizing the use of cyanamide, or replacing it with less toxic chemicals will help reduce the health risks for workers. At the same time, strict adherence to occupational safety regulations and periodic health check-ups for workers are also very important to promptly detect any signs of health effects from cyanamide, thereby allowing for early intervention.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about 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 adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National occupational environment monitoring center
The occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in 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 SERVICE
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, meets all customer needs, and commits 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 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 expertise, we aim to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With 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 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 price list provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It 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 commit to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation price list, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
