Working environment factors
How does Benzidine affect workers’ health?
Nov
Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) (C12H12N2) is a hazardous chemical commonly used in the manufacturing industry. Prolonged and improperly protected use can cause serious health effects for workers. Let’s learn in detail about the harmful effects and effective prevention measures!
1. What is Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine)?
Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine), with the chemical formula C12H12N2, is an organic compound belonging to the aromatic amine group. It is composed of two benzene rings joined by a carbon bridge, with two amine groups (-NH2) attached at the 4-position on each benzene ring.
This compound typically appears as a pale yellow or white crystalline solid, readily soluble in water and organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Benzidin | Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) | 29215900 | 92-87-5 | C12H12N2 |
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2. Where does Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) originate from in the production process?
During the production process, benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) is typically generated in factories that produce dyes and related chemical products. It is an important intermediate in the synthesis of azo dyes, which are widely used in the textile, leather, and paper dyeing industries.
Furthermore, benzidine may also be present in the production processes of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and antioxidants. In these factories, benzidine can be generated from chemical synthesis processes, where chemical raw materials react with each other under specific temperature and pressure conditions. This compound can be released into the work environment as a gas or dust, especially when production stages are not tightly controlled or lack occupational safety measures.
3. Industries that use Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) in production
Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) is primarily used in the dye manufacturing industry, especially for dyeing textiles, leather, and paper. It is a crucial component in the synthesis of various azo dyes, which, after reacting with other compounds, create color for the product. Dye manufacturing plants are places where large amounts of benzidine can be generated, particularly during the synthesis and chemical processing stages.
Besides the dyeing industry, benzidine is also used in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and antioxidants. In plastics manufacturing plants, this compound acts as an intermediate in the synthesis of various synthetic resins or plastics. Notably, benzidine is also present in the production of dyes used in the food and cosmetics industries.
The rubber processing industry and other chemical product industries may also have a presence of benzidine, although its usage rate is not as high as in the dyeing industry. Processes such as handling, processing, and manufacturing flexible materials and thin films from rubber or plastic may all contain benzidine in their reactive compounds.
4. How does Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) affect workers?
When exposed to benzidine, workers can face many serious health hazards. One of the most significant effects is on the respiratory system. Inhaling benzidine dust or vapor can cause symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and chronic bronchitis. This is particularly dangerous for those working long-term in environments with high concentrations of benzidine without protective measures.
Benzidine can also damage the nervous system, impairing cognitive function and causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and persistent fatigue. In cases of prolonged or high-concentration exposure, benzidine can also lead to skin problems, including contact dermatitis and allergies. A worker’s skin can become severely irritated, leading to sores or rashes.
One of the most severe effects of benzidine is the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that this compound can cause bladder cancer and other cancers related to the urinary system upon long-term exposure. This makes benzidine a known carcinogen, especially for those working in the dye, plastics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) for human exposure
To protect workers’ health, international health and safety organizations have established safe limits for the concentration of benzidine that humans can be exposed to without harm. This concentration is calculated based on scientific research on the toxicity and disease risk of this compound with long-term exposure.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the maximum permissible concentration of benzidine in the air at 0.1 mg/m³ for an eight-hour workday.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Benzidine. 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 Benzidine ((1,1’- Biphenyl)-4,4′- diamine) on workers
To minimize the health effects of benzidine on workers, preventive measures and control of the work environment are extremely important. First and foremost, manufacturing plants must strictly adhere to occupational safety regulations, especially in industries that use benzidine. Controlling the chemical concentration in the air through effective ventilation and air filtration systems will help reduce workers’ exposure to this substance.
Additionally, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as dust-filtering masks, gloves, and protective clothing is a necessary measure to limit direct contact with benzidine. Especially in stages where benzidine dust or gas is likely to be generated, workers must be fully equipped with appropriate protective gear. This will help protect them from inhaling dust or absorbing benzidine through the skin.
It is also necessary to establish regular health check and monitoring procedures for workers in environments where benzidine is used. Periodic health tests can detect early signs of poisoning or diseases related to long-term exposure to benzidine, such as respiratory and skin diseases, and even cancer.
Finally, training to raise awareness about the risks and protective measures for workers also plays a crucial role. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge about the dangers of benzidine and the proper methods of personal protection. Creating a safe working environment, with the participation of both workers and management, is key to minimizing the negative impact of this chemical on workers’ health.
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 adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environmental monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, and from there, adjust to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environmental Monitoring Center
The Occupational Environmental Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in the supervision and measurement of occupational environmental quality in all provinces throughout Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measurement equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, processing, and tracking occupational environmental issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in technology, engineering, and human resources, the Nam Viet monitoring center has been and continues to be one of the reputable units in the field of occupational environmental 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.
- Together with a team of experienced and specialized Masters and Engineers, we desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- By coming to 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 Occupational Environmental Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environmental monitoring in a professional and effective manner, we at Nam Viet provide our valued customers with a high-quality and reasonably priced quotation list for occupational environmental monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation list provides detailed information on the pricing of the monitoring services we offer. It includes all costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Our valued 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 consult and answer any questions about our monitoring services in the quickest and most professional manner.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation list, our valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
