Working environment factors
How does Acetone affect workers’ health?
Nov
Working in an environment with exposure to acetone (C₃H₆O) not only affects the health of workers but also poses many unforeseen risks. From respiratory and skin issues to long-term effects on the nervous system, this article will help you better understand the risks and how to protect your health.
1. What is Acetone?
With the chemical formula C₃H₆O, acetone is a volatile, colorless liquid with a distinct, easily recognizable odor. It is an organic compound belonging to the ketone group, commonly found in industrial production and widely used in many fields such as a solvent in paints, cleaning agents, and in the chemical manufacturing industry.
Acetone has the ability to dissolve many types of materials well, from grease to complex organic substances, making it an ideal choice in industrial cleaning and formulation processes. Due to its high flammability and volatility, acetone is not only used in industries but is also found in low concentrations in the human body, produced by the body’s natural fat metabolism process.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Axeton | Acetone | 29141100 | 67-64-1 | C3H6O |
See more: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Acetone originate from in the production process?
In industrial production processes, acetone often arises from activities related to the use of chemicals as solvents or in production processes related to the paint, plastics, and other organic compound industries. Steps such as mixing, washing, and surface cleaning all use acetone to dissolve or remove impurities, thereby releasing acetone vapor into the air.
The source of acetone can also come from chemical synthesis processes, where acetone is generated as a byproduct. During the production of plastics and synthetic fibers, such as the manufacturing of methacrylate or bisphenol-A, acetone often appears not only as a necessary component but also as a byproduct, increasing the concentration of acetone in the work environment.
In addition, in some factories, acetone can be formed due to the natural decomposition of organic substances under the influence of high temperature and pressure. When materials like plastic or rubber are exposed to high temperatures, they can decompose and produce a certain amount of acetone.
3. Industries that use Acetone in production
The presence of acetone in many production industries demonstrates the versatility of this chemical. One of the fields that uses acetone the most is the paint and surface coating industry. Here, acetone is used as a solvent to dissolve various components in paint, making the application process easier and more efficient. With its rapid evaporation rate, acetone helps the paint layer dry quickly, creating a smooth finished surface.
In addition, acetone also plays an important role in the plastics and rubber manufacturing industry. It is used in the production process of plastics like polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), where acetone is not only a solvent but also an important component in the polymerization process. Similarly, in the pharmaceutical industry, acetone is used to extract and purify organic compounds, thanks to its solvent properties and volatility.
Furthermore, acetone is also used in the electronics manufacturing field, such as in the production of printed circuit boards, where surface cleaning is crucial to ensure product quality. The chemical industry also relies on acetone, where it serves as an intermediate in the production of many other organic compounds.
4. How does Acetone affect workers?
Exposure to acetone can cause many health effects for workers, especially in work environments where acetone concentrations are high. One of the main impacts is respiratory problems. When inhaling acetone vapor, workers may experience difficulty breathing, coughing, or a sensation of irritation in the respiratory tract lining. In some severe cases, long-term exposure can lead to pneumonia or chronic respiratory diseases.
In addition, acetone can also cause skin problems. When in direct contact with the skin, acetone can dry and irritate the skin, causing symptoms such as itching, redness, or rashes. For those who work in environments with frequent use of acetone, the risk of developing skin conditions like contact dermatitis or allergies is very high. This not only affects health but can also reduce work productivity.
Furthermore, long-term exposure to acetone can also negatively impact the nervous system. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or feelings of fatigue may occur. In more severe cases, acetone can cause cognitive and concentration problems, affecting the work performance of employees.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Acetone for human exposure
Determining the permissible safe concentration of acetone in the work environment is extremely important to protect workers’ health. According to health and occupational safety organizations, the concentration of acetone in the air must not exceed the permissible level to minimize health risks. Specifically, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for acetone at 1000 ppm (parts per million) over an 8-hour workday and not exceeding 750 ppm for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recommends an exposure limit of 500 ppm for an 8-hour workday, to ensure greater safety for workers. These figures reflect a balance between production benefits and the health risks that acetone can pose.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Acetone is important. 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 Acetone on workers
To minimize the health effects of acetone on workers, preventive and protective measures need to be implemented comprehensively in the workplace. One of the first and most important steps is to control the concentration of acetone in the air. Installing chemical concentration monitoring devices can help detect early when acetone levels exceed safe limits, allowing for timely intervention.
An effective ventilation system is one of the key solutions to reduce the concentration of acetone in the air. Designing a suitable ventilation system not only helps to make the air fresher but also limits the accumulation of acetone vapor in the workspace. This can be achieved by installing exhaust fans or using air filtration devices to remove harmful compounds.
In addition, providing personal protective equipment for workers is also a necessary measure. Employees working in environments with acetone should be equipped with specialized masks, gloves, and protective clothing to limit direct contact with the chemical. This not only protects individual health but also creates a safer work environment.
Training and raising awareness among workers about the risks associated with acetone are also very important. Workers need to be instructed on how to recognize the first signs of acetone exposure and how to respond promptly. Conducting regular training programs will help everyone stay vigilant and ready to protect their own health.
Finally, production facilities should establish and maintain a clear occupational safety policy, including quality control procedures, regular health monitoring for workers, and emergency response measures in case of an incident. Thanks to these measures, not only is workers’ health protected, but it also contributes to improving work efficiency in industries that use acetone.
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, to collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of risk to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Workplace Environment Monitoring
The Workplace 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 WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and human resources, the Nam Viet 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 solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- By choosing 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 carry out workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table 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 advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
