Working environment factors
How does Chloroethanol affect workers’ health?
Nov
Chloroethanol (C2H5ClO) is a chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants, but few are aware of the potential harm it poses to workers’ health. This article will explore in detail the health effects of Chloroethanol and how to effectively protect oneself when working with this chemical.
1. What is Chloroethanol?
Chloroethanol, with the chemical formula C2H5ClO, is an organic compound belonging to the halogenated alcohol group. This substance has a structure consisting of a methyl group (-CH2-) attached to a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a chlorine atom (-Cl). Chloroethanol is known as a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor, readily soluble in water and some other organic solvents. It is widely used in industry as a solvent, cleaning agent, and in chemical reactions to synthesize other compounds.
The characteristic properties of Chloroethanol include its ability to react with other compounds, especially when in contact with alkaline substances or metals. Due to this property, Chloroethanol can create new compounds during the production process, helping to optimize industrial procedures.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Clo etanol | Chloroethanol | 29055900 | 107-07-3 | C2H5ClO |
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 Chloroethanol originate from in the production process?
During the production process, Chloroethanol can arise from various sources, mainly from chemical reactions using raw materials containing carbon, chlorine, and hydroxyl groups. One of the most common sources is when factories produce organic compounds containing chlorine, especially in the synthesis processes of cleaning agents, solvents, or pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically occur when organic compounds like ethanol or other carbon-containing compounds react with chlorine under specific temperature and pressure conditions.
Chloroethanol can also be generated during the treatment or recycling of industrial waste, particularly in the plastics or chemical manufacturing industries, where complex chemical reactions can produce these compounds. Chemical or pharmaceutical plants that use many chlorine-containing compounds are also a notable source of Chloroethanol.
3. Industries that use Chloroethanol in production
Chloroethanol is widely used in various industries, especially those requiring cleaning chemicals or organic solvents. One of the main industries that use Chloroethanol is the pharmaceutical industry. In drug manufacturing, this substance is used to synthesize chemical compounds or as a solvent for pharmacologically active ingredients. In addition, Chloroethanol also plays an important role in cleaning formulas and disinfectants, helping to remove impurities or microorganisms during product processing.
The chemical industry is another field where Chloroethanol is commonly present. In this industry, it is used to produce other organic compounds, such as antioxidants, protective agents, or colorants. The synthesis of these compounds often requires chemical reactions involving Chloroethanol.
The plastics and rubber industries also have some applications for Chloroethanol in production. This substance is used in the synthesis of various types of plastics or other polymer compounds, where chemical reactions require cleaning agents or solvents. Additionally, some paper, paint, and printing ink manufacturing industries may use Chloroethanol as a component in solvents or colorants.
4. How does Chloroethanol affect workers?
Long-term exposure to Chloroethanol in the workplace can cause many adverse health effects for workers. When inhaling the vapor or gas of Chloroethanol, workers may experience respiratory irritation symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and wheezing. This condition can become severe if exposure is prolonged without proper protective measures.
Furthermore, direct contact with Chloroethanol on the skin or in the eyes can cause severe irritation. The skin may become red, itchy, or inflamed with prolonged contact. The eyes may also become red and watery, and can even suffer corneal damage if not treated promptly. This is particularly dangerous for workers in environments lacking safety protection, such as those not wearing gloves or safety goggles.
Moreover, when absorbed into the body through the digestive tract or skin, Chloroethanol can cause liver and kidney problems. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to this substance can lead to serious internal organ damage, affecting liver and kidney function and reducing the overall health of the worker. Some studies also indicate that workers exposed to Chloroethanol for a long time may experience neurological issues, such as headaches, dizziness, or neurological disorders.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Chloroethanol for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of Chloroethanol for human exposure is a critical factor in protecting workers’ health in the workplace. According to international occupational safety standards, the maximum exposure level to Chloroethanol in the workplace air should not exceed 10 ppm (parts per million) or 30 mg/m³ over an 8-hour work shift. This is the permissible exposure level intended to ensure that workers do not face serious health problems when working with this chemical.
However, health and safety agencies recommend that even when Chloroethanol concentrations are at the permissible level, long-term or continuous exposure to this substance can still cause undesirable health effects.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Chloroethanol. Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide safety guidelines and principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Chloroethanol on workers’ health
To minimize the effects of Chloroethanol on workers’ health, protective measures in the work environment play a very important role. First, improving ventilation in production areas or chemical storage is one of the most basic measures. Ensuring good air circulation helps to reduce the concentration of Chloroethanol in the air, thereby limiting workers’ inhalation of its vapors. Ventilation systems must be regularly inspected to ensure continuous effective operation.
Besides that, workers need to be fully equipped with personal protective equipment, including chemical-resistant masks, gloves, safety glasses, and full-body protective clothing. This equipment helps protect workers from direct contact with Chloroethanol through the skin and eyes, as well as limiting the possibility of inhaling chemical vapors while working.
Safety training and education for workers are also indispensable factors. Companies need to organize training sessions on how to identify risks and properly use personal protective equipment. Workers should also be instructed on how to handle exposure or contact with Chloroethanol, such as washing immediately upon contact with skin or eyes, and notifying the medical department promptly.
In addition, regular monitoring of Chloroethanol concentrations in the air is necessary to ensure that exposure levels do not exceed safe limits. Factories need to install chemical concentration monitoring devices and implement mitigation measures such as improving production processes, using safer alternatives, or adjusting technical factors to reduce the amount of Chloroethanol released into the environment.
Finally, measures to protect workers’ health should also include regular health check-ups. Periodic health examinations will help detect early signs of damage from exposure to Chloroethanol, allowing for timely intervention to effectively protect workers’ health.
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 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 Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
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 technology, engineering, and human resources, Nam Viet’s 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 options available.
- Together with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a 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 deals on costs.
8. Quotation for Workplace Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a price list for workplace environment monitoring services that is high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our monitoring price list 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 monitoring 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.
