Working environment factors
How does Acrolein affect workers’ health?
Nov
Acrolein (2-Propenal) is a toxic chemical often present in manufacturing plants. So how does it affect the health of workers? This article will provide a detailed look at the health risks, signs of poisoning, and effective protective measures when working with this substance.
1. What is Acrolein (2-Propenal)?
Acrolein (2-Propenal), with the chemical formula C3H4O, is an unsaturated organic compound belonging to the aldehyde group. It has an aldehyde functional group (-CHO) attached to a three-carbon chain, including a double bond between the second and third carbon atoms. With this characteristic, acrolein is highly reactive and readily participates in other chemical reactions.
This substance exists as a liquid under normal conditions, is transparent in color, and has a rather characteristic odor, often described as a pungent, unpleasant smell. Acrolein is highly volatile, so it easily disperses in the air and can cause serious effects if inhaled.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Acrolein | Acrolein (2-Propenal) | 29121990 | 107-02-8 | C3H4O |
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 Acrolein (2-Propenal) originate from in the production process?
During the production process, acrolein (2-Propenal) can arise from various sources, mainly in the chemical and food industries. One of the common sources is during the production of plastics, especially polyester and other polymer compounds, when organic substances are burned or decomposed. Acrolein can also appear in the production processes of dyes, detergents, and other industrial chemicals, where organic compounds are subjected to heat or chemical reactions.
In addition, acrolein is also generated during the combustion of fuel, such as in power generation plants, or in food processing stages like roasting, grilling, and frying, especially when fats or oils are heated to high temperatures. In these cases, the decomposition of organic compounds in the oils or food will release acrolein into the air, polluting the working environment.
Besides, acrolein can also arise in distillation processes, when volatile organic compounds decompose under the effect of high temperatures.
3. Industries that use Acrolein (2-Propenal) in production
Acrolein (2-Propenal) is used in many different industries, especially those related to chemicals and material production. One of the industries that consumes the most acrolein is the plastics industry, where this substance is used in the production of synthetic resins, such as polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Acrolein acts as an intermediate in the chemical reactions necessary to synthesize these materials.
In addition, acrolein is also used in the production of dyes, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. In these industries, acrolein is an important component in chemical synthesis processes, contributing to the creation of useful compounds. Catalysts or intermediate compounds created from acrolein help improve the efficiency of the production process and increase the quality of the final product.
The food industry is also a source of acrolein use, especially in heat-based food processing, such as roasting, grilling, and frying. When oils or fats are heated to high temperatures, acrolein can be generated as a byproduct of the decomposition of organic compounds in the food.
Finally, acrolein is also used in some other industries such as rubber manufacturing, petroleum refining, and energy production.
4. How does Acrolein (2-Propenal) affect workers?
When workers are exposed to acrolein, they can face many serious health problems due to the toxic nature of this compound. Acrolein can enter the body through the respiratory tract, digestion, or skin, but it primarily causes harm through the inhalation of its vapors or fumes in the air. Inhaling acrolein can cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and sore throat. If exposure is prolonged or at high concentrations, it can cause severe damage to the lungs and respiratory system, increasing the risk of chronic lung diseases or asthma.
In addition to affecting the respiratory system, acrolein can also cause problems related to the nervous system. Some studies have shown that long-term exposure to acrolein can reduce concentration, cause feelings of fatigue, dizziness, and even headaches or insomnia. These symptoms can reduce work productivity and affect the quality of workers’ jobs.
In particular, acrolein is corrosive and highly irritating to the skin and eyes. Direct contact with this substance can cause skin inflammation, itching, redness, and burning. For the eyes, acrolein can cause conjunctivitis, eye pain, tearing, and even corneal damage if exposure is long-term or at high concentrations.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Acrolein (2-Propenal) for human exposure
To ensure worker safety when working in an environment containing acrolein, regulatory agencies and international health organizations have established limits on the permissible safe concentration for exposure to this compound. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and occupational safety agencies like OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the permissible concentration of acrolein in the air for long-term exposure is very low, to minimize the risk of harm to human health.
Specifically, the permissible concentration of acrolein in the workplace is typically regulated to be below 0.1 parts per million (ppm) in the air over an 8-hour workday. This is the concentration level that workers can be exposed to without experiencing serious health effects during their work time. However, this concentration can still cause mild irritation in some people, especially those who are sensitive or have a history of respiratory diseases.
For acrolein concentrations higher than the permissible limit, workers may experience more serious problems such as respiratory inflammation, lung damage, or neurological symptoms.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Acrolein. 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 Acrolein (2-Propenal) on workers
To minimize the health effects of acrolein on workers, applying protective and preventive measures is extremely important in manufacturing plants. First and foremost, attention should be paid to improving ventilation and air conditioning systems in work areas with a risk of acrolein exposure. An effective ventilation system will help reduce the concentration of this toxic substance in the air, ensure fresh air, and limit the possibility of workers inhaling acrolein.
Besides, using personal protective equipment is an indispensable measure. Workers should wear specialized masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing when working in an environment with a risk of acrolein exposure. This equipment will help prevent acrolein from coming into direct contact with the body, protecting the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes from the harmful effects of this chemical.
In addition, close monitoring of the acrolein concentration in the air is also very important. Factories should regularly check and measure the acrolein concentration to ensure it is always within the permissible safe level. If the acrolein concentration exceeds the permissible limit, immediate intervention measures such as increasing ventilation or minimizing the source of acrolein generation in the production process should be implemented.
Training workers on the risks of acrolein and how to protect themselves is another important factor. Occupational safety training courses should be held regularly to help workers be clearly aware of the dangers associated with acrolein and how to prevent them.
Finally, improving production processes and using clean technology to minimize the creation of acrolein during production is also a long-term and effective solution. Replacing or reducing chemical reactions that produce acrolein will help minimize risks for workers and protect the working environment sustainably.
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 needs to 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, 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.
