Working environment factors
How does Maleic anhydride affect workers’ health?
Nov
Maleic anhydride (C₄H₂O₃) is an important chemical in industrial production, but it also poses many potential risks to the health of workers. This article will help you understand the harmful effects of maleic anhydride, how to prevent them, and protect your health in the work environment.
1. What is Maleic anhydride?
The chemical formula C₄H₂O₃ represents an organic compound that is the anhydride of maleic acid. It is a white, odorless solid, readily soluble in solvents such as acetone and ethanol. This compound is formed through the dehydration of maleic acid, and therefore, it possesses many of the special properties of an anhydride.
With the formula C₄H₂O₃, this compound consists of four carbon atoms, two hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. Its molecular structure features a three-membered oxygen-containing ring, bonded to anhydride functional groups, creating a highly reactive compound, especially in chemical reactions such as esterification, hydrogenation, and reactions with hydroxyl functional groups.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Maleic anhydrit | Maleic anhydride | 29171400 | 108-31-6 | C4H2O3 |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Maleic anhydride originate from in the production process?
In the industrial production process, the source of maleic anhydride mainly comes from petroleum or natural gas raw materials, through the oxidation of hydrocarbons such as butane or butene. Specifically, maleic anhydride is created through a catalytic oxidation process, in which butane or butene reacts with oxygen in the air to form maleic anhydride.
The production process of maleic anhydride begins by selecting appropriate hydrocarbons, mainly butane, and introducing them into a reactor under high temperature and pressure conditions. The oxygen in the air reacts with the butane, forming maleic anhydride and other byproducts such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is a highly selective chemical process that requires special catalysts to optimize the product.
In addition to the oxidation of butane, maleic anhydride can also be produced from butene through a similar reaction. This process takes place in large chemical plants where the reactions are strictly controlled to achieve high production efficiency and minimize toxic emissions.
3. Industries that use Maleic anhydride in production
In industrial production, maleic anhydride is widely used in many different fields due to its special chemical properties. The plastics industry is one of the largest consumers of maleic anhydride. It is primarily used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins, a type of plastic widely used in the manufacturing of construction materials, automobiles, and electronic devices. These unsaturated polyester resins have high durability, good corrosion resistance, and are used to create products such as fibers, plastic sheets, and composite parts.
In addition, maleic anhydride also plays an important role in the paint and coatings industry. When combined with other components, maleic anhydride helps improve the adhesion, durability, and resistance to environmental factors for paint products. Therefore, it is often used in the production of automotive paints, protective coatings, and industrial paints.
Besides, maleic anhydride is also applied in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. It is a raw material for producing pharmaceutical compounds, food additives, and other specialty chemicals. Maleic anhydride is also used in the production of plasticizers, detergents, and stabilizers in many industrial applications.
Finally, maleic anhydride is also present in the rubber products manufacturing industry. It is used to create rubber compounds with good elasticity and abrasion resistance, suitable for applications in the production of tires, cables, and automotive components. Thanks to its diverse applications, maleic anhydride has become an important raw material in many industries today.
4. How does Maleic anhydride affect workers?
Exposure to maleic anhydride in the work environment can cause serious health effects for workers. When inhaling smoke, vapor, or dust of maleic anhydride, it can cause severe irritation to the respiratory system, especially the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and lungs. Common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, a sore throat, and even bronchitis. People with long-term exposure to this chemical may experience a decline in respiratory function or chronic respiratory-related diseases.
In addition, direct contact with maleic anhydride can cause skin burns or severe skin irritation, especially without adequate protection. The burns can be painful and leave permanent scars if not treated promptly. When in contact with the eyes, maleic anhydride can also cause severe irritation, leading to redness, tearing, and even corneal damage if first aid is not administered quickly.
For workers in environments with high concentrations of maleic anhydride and inadequate protection, the risk of developing serious diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses is very high. Furthermore, long-term exposure to maleic anhydride can affect the nervous system, causing fatigue, headaches, and in severe cases, can lead to neurological and cognitive health problems.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Maleic anhydride for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration for exposure to maleic anhydride is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations to ensure worker health. According to international standards, the maximum permissible concentration in the air (known as the Threshold Limit Value – TLV) for maleic anhydride typically ranges from 0.1 mg/m³ to 0.2 mg/m³. This is the concentration level at which a worker can be exposed during an 8-hour workday without causing significant harm to health.
In addition, in some cases, organizations such as OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) also provide specific guidelines on maximum permissible concentrations to protect workers from potential risks.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Maleic anhydride. Organizations such as 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 impact of Maleic anhydride on workers’ health
To minimize the impact of maleic anhydride on workers’ health, implementing preventive measures and controlling the work environment is extremely important. One of the basic measures is to improve the ventilation system in production areas where maleic anhydride is used. An effective ventilation system helps reduce the concentration of the chemical in the air, thereby limiting workers’ exposure to harmful vapors. The installation of dust collectors and air filtration systems is also an important solution to help minimize the accumulation of maleic anhydride in the workspace.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment is an indispensable measure. Workers need to be equipped with air-purifying respirators, protective gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing to prevent direct contact with maleic anhydride. This equipment helps protect workers from the harm caused by the chemical, especially when working in high-concentration environments.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness among workers about the health risks from maleic anhydride is important. Workers need to have a clear understanding of the symptoms of exposure to this chemical and know how to respond promptly. Occupational safety and first aid training sessions should also be held regularly to ensure everyone knows how to protect their own health when working with maleic anhydride.
Finally, manufacturing companies need to implement regular health check-up procedures for their employees, especially those with long-term exposure to maleic anhydride. Health monitoring helps in the early detection of signs of respiratory diseases or other health problems, allowing for timely intervention and effectively protecting the health of workers.
In summary, a combination of technical measures such as improving ventilation, using personal protective equipment, training workers, and conducting regular health check-ups will help to minimize the impact of maleic anhydride on the health of workers in the production environment.
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 occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, and thereby adjust to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center 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 to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the occupational environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of occupational 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 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 Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information on the pricing 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 provide consultation and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
