Diethylamine (C4H11N) is a common chemical in many industries, but its negative impact on workers’ health cannot be overlooked. This article will help you explore how diethylamine affects the respiratory system, skin, eyes, and nervous system, while also highlighting protective measures to keep workers safer.
1. What is Diethylamine?
With the chemical formula C4H11N, diethylamine is an organic compound belonging to the amine group, possessing strong basic properties and solubility in water. At room temperature, it typically exists as a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic ammonia-like odor. Diethylamine is widely used in many industrial fields such as the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber, and plastics. Due to its reactive nature, diethylamine plays a crucial role in organic synthesis reactions, especially in the preparation of drugs and other chemical compounds. However, it is also a potentially hazardous chemical if not handled properly and can cause many negative health effects for workers with long-term exposure.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Diethylamin | Diethylamine | 29211950 | 109-89-7 | C4H11N |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Diethylamine originate from in the production process?
In the production process, the primary source of diethylamine is from chemical synthesis reactions where precursor compounds such as ethanol or ethylene are combined with ammonia. Pharmaceutical, industrial chemical, and rubber manufacturing plants are often places with a significant presence of diethylamine due to the need for this chemical in their production processes.
Additionally, diethylamine can also be generated from the decomposition of nitrogen-containing compounds during processing or when chemical products containing diethylamine are used and subsequently evaporate into the air. The dispersion of diethylamine into the environment increases the risk of exposure for workers in production areas.

3. Industries that use Diethylamine in production
Many industries use diethylamine as a key component in their production processes. In the pharmaceutical industry, diethylamine is often used to synthesize various drugs, as its properties help improve the solubility and stability of active ingredients.
The industrial chemical sector also uses diethylamine in the production of other chemical compounds, such as disinfectants, detergents, and catalysts. Furthermore, in the rubber and plastics industry, diethylamine is an essential component in the manufacturing of synthetic rubbers and plastics, helping to enhance the mechanical properties of the products.
Additionally, diethylamine is also applied in the cosmetics and personal care chemical industries, where it plays a role in creating stable formulations for products.
4. How does Diethylamine affect workers?
Exposure to diethylamine can cause many negative health effects for workers. When inhaling diethylamine vapor or dust, workers may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and respiratory tract irritation. This is particularly serious for individuals with a history of asthma or other respiratory issues, as they may experience more severe bronchospasms.
Skin contact can also lead to irritation, inflammation, and chemical burns, causing pain and discomfort for workers. If the chemical enters the body through the skin or mucous membranes, it can cause more severe problems, including liver and kidney damage.
Additionally, diethylamine can affect the nervous system, leading to symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure may increase the risk of developing chronic neurological disorders.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Diethylamine for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of diethylamine for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations worldwide. According to the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the maximum permissible concentration of diethylamine in the workplace air is 10 ppm (parts per million) over a continuous 8-hour work period. For special working conditions or in high-risk cases, this concentration may be adjusted lower to ensure worker safety.
In addition, other organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) also provide similar recommendations to protect workers’ health. Monitoring the concentration of diethylamine in the work environment is very important to ensure that workers are not overexposed, helping to minimize the risk of diseases related to this chemical. At the same time, providing adequate personal protective equipment and training workers on how to prevent risks when working with diethylamine also plays a crucial role in ensuring health and safety.

On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Diethylamine. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the effects of Diethylamine on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of diethylamine on workers, implementing safety measures in the work environment is essential. First, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation in production areas to reduce the concentration of diethylamine vapor in the air. An effective ventilation system will help remove toxic gases and provide fresh air for workers.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing, also plays a crucial role in protecting health. Workers need to be trained on how to use this equipment correctly and understand the risks of exposure to diethylamine.
A regular health monitoring program for workers exposed to diethylamine is also necessary to detect early signs of health effects. Furthermore, implementing an emergency response procedure in case of a leak or unwanted exposure to diethylamine is very important. All these measures need to be closely coordinated to create a safe work environment and minimize risks for workers.
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 work environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, and then adjusting to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Work Environment Monitoring Center
The Work Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in the supervision and measurement of work environment quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measurement equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORK ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, addressing, and tracking work environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is dedicated to customer satisfaction, meeting all of their needs, and committing to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With its investment in techniques, technology, and human resources, the Nam Viet monitoring center has become one of the most reputable units in the field of work 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 options possible.
- Along with a team of experienced and specialized Masters and Engineers, we aim 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. You will also receive the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Work Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct work environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our clients a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for work environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Clients 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 our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, clients can easily choose the service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of satisfaction through our professional quality service.

