Working environment factors
How does Phenol affect workers’ health?
Dec
Phenol (C6H6O) is a common chemical in many industries, but its impact on the health of workers is very dangerous. This article will explore the serious health effects of phenol and how to protect workers in environments where this chemical is used.
1. What is Phenol?
C6H6O is the chemical formula for phenol, an organic compound containing a hydroxyl group (-OH) directly bonded to a benzene ring. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor, is volatile, and has weak acidic properties. Phenol is typically produced from petroleum or through chemical reactions in the chemical industry.
With its simple yet very special molecular structure, phenol is soluble in water and organic solvents. It has strong oxidizing properties and can attack the body’s cells and tissues upon direct contact. Therefore, phenol is not only widely used in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and dyes but also in the wood processing, rubber, and pesticide manufacturing industries.
In addition to its industrial applications, phenol is also a component in the production process of other important chemical compounds. Although it has many useful applications, phenol can also be hazardous to human health if not used and stored correctly.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Phenol | Phenol | 29071100 | 108-95-2 | C6H6O |
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 Phenol originate from in the production process?
During the production process, phenol mainly arises from the chemical industries, especially in the production of plastics, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. One of the main sources of phenol is the production of phenol from petroleum or natural gas through chemical reactions, such as the chlorination process (creating phenol from chlorobenzene) or the oxidation of cumene.
In addition, in the wood processing, rubber, and other chemical compound manufacturing industries, phenol can also be released in unwanted side reactions. Specifically, phenol can also be generated from industrial wastewater treatment activities, where these chemicals are broken down or enter the environment during the production of other chemical substances.
3. Industries that use Phenol in production
The chemical phenol is widely used in many different industries, particularly in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, rubber, and pesticides. In the plastics industry, phenol is an important raw material for producing types of plastics like Bakelite, a hard and durable plastic often used in the manufacturing of household appliances, electronic components, and other industrial products.
In addition, phenol is also used in the production of pesticides and detergents. In the pharmaceutical industry, phenol is an important component in the production of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, and preparations for treating skin diseases. In the rubber industry, phenol is used to produce additives that enhance the properties of rubber, increasing the product’s durability and abrasion resistance.
The chemical manufacturing industries, such as the production of organic compounds and other chemical substances, also use phenol as a basic raw material in the synthesis of complex compounds.
4. How does Phenol affect workers?
When exposed to phenol, workers can face many dangerous health effects. Phenol is easily absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract, and digestive system, causing damage to internal organs and the nervous system. When inhaling phenol vapor, workers can experience respiratory irritation, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and a burning sensation in the nose and throat. In cases of long-term or high-concentration exposure, these symptoms can become more severe, causing lung and cardiovascular damage.
When in direct contact with phenol through the skin, workers can suffer chemical burns, especially when not using proper protection. Skin irritation, redness, and blistering are common manifestations, and in severe cases, skin damage can lead to infection. In addition, phenol also has adverse effects on the nervous system, causing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
Long-term exposure to phenol can lead to more serious health problems, including liver and kidney damage, and affect reproductive ability. Studies show that phenol can also cause hormonal disorders, affecting the physiological functions of workers. Furthermore, phenol is also considered a potential carcinogen, and the risk of developing cancer from prolonged exposure to this chemical is very high.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Phenol for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of phenol for human exposure depends on international occupational safety regulations and standards as well as the level of worker exposure in the work environment. According to health and occupational safety organizations, the concentration of phenol in the workplace air must be strictly controlled to avoid negative health effects. Specifically, agencies like OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) have set a maximum exposure limit for phenol in the air of 5 ppm (parts per million) over an 8-hour workday.
For the work environment, if the phenol concentration exceeds this safe level, personal protective measures such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing must be used to minimize the risk of direct contact. In addition, short-term exposure level standards also require that the phenol concentration does not exceed 15 ppm for a short period (15 minutes), to minimize acute health effects on workers.
Maintaining the phenol concentration below the regulated level is very important to ensure worker safety.
On a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Phenol. 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 effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the health effects of Phenol on workers
To minimize the effects of phenol on workers’ health, applying preventive and protective measures is extremely important. First and foremost, compliance with regulations on phenol concentration in the work environment is essential. Manufacturing plants that use phenol must ensure that the phenol concentration in the air does not exceed the permissible safe limit, through the installation of effective ventilation systems and toxic gas extraction equipment. The phenol concentration in the work environment must be checked periodically to ensure the work environment is always safe.
In addition, providing adequate and proper personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, protective clothing, and safety goggles for workers is an important measure to limit direct contact with phenol. Especially when working with products containing phenol or when cleaning equipment, workers need to be fully equipped with this protective gear.
Training and raising awareness about the health risks of phenol for workers is also a key factor. Workers need to be instructed on how to properly use protective equipment, recognize the signs of phenol poisoning, and know how to handle incidents when they occur. Besides that, periodic health check programs for workers exposed to phenol are necessary to detect early signs of health damage and intervene in a timely manner.
Finally, companies and production facilities should also research and apply technologies that can replace phenol in production if possible, to minimize health risks for workers. These measures not only help protect workers’ health but also contribute to creating a safe and healthy work environment.
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 compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting 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, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. 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 technology, engineering, 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 Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best deals on costs.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information about 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 provide advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s 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.
