Working environment factors
How does Ammonium nitrate affect workers’ health?
Dec
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a common chemical in manufacturing plants, but few people know that it can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will provide detailed information about the health risks and protective measures when working with ammonium nitrate.
1. What is Ammonium nitrate?
Ammonium nitrate has the chemical formula NH4NO3. It is an important chemical compound, commonly found in various industries, especially in the production of fertilizers and explosives. It is formed from two main components: the ammonium ion (NH4+) and the nitrate ion (NO3-), where the ammonium ion is alkaline and the nitrate ion is a strong oxidizing agent.
Ammonium nitrate is a white, odorless crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It is a substance that readily reacts with many other compounds, especially flammable substances. It is this property that makes ammonium nitrate potentially dangerous if not stored and used correctly.
In industry, ammonium nitrate is often used to produce fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content, which promotes plant growth. However, when combined with other substances like fuel oil or other flammable materials, it can form a powerful explosive mixture. Therefore, while it is a very useful chemical in agriculture and industry, ammonium nitrate also poses many risks to the health and safety of workers when not used properly.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Amoni nitrat | Ammonium nitrate | 31023000 | 6484-52-2 | NH4NO3 |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Ammonium nitrate originate from in the production process?
During the production process, the main source of ammonium nitrate comes from the combination of ammonia (NH3) and nitric acid (HNO3) in a chemical reaction. This is a crucial process in the fertilizer manufacturing industry, where ammonia, a product of gas distillation, is reacted with nitric acid to create ammonium nitrate. This reaction takes place in a device called a “reactor” under controlled temperature and pressure conditions.
When ammonia and nitric acid combine, they create ammonium nitrate in solution form. This solution is then cooled and crystallized to form ammonium nitrate crystals. In other production processes, ammonium nitrate can also be mixed with other substances to create mixtures, such as in the production of explosives or mixed fertilizers.
Additionally, in some fertilizer plants, ammonium nitrate may be produced from secondary raw materials like natural gas, while nitric acid can be prepared from naturally available nitrogen compounds. This process often involves chemical raw materials derived from petroleum or natural gas, which explains why ammonium nitrate can originate from many different raw material sources in the industry.
3. Industries that use Ammonium nitrate in production
Ammonium nitrate is widely used in many industries, especially in the production of fertilizers and explosives. In the agricultural sector, this compound is a key ingredient in nitrogen-containing fertilizers, helping to provide essential nutrients for crops. Ammonium nitrate fertilizer dissolves quickly in water, helping plants absorb nutrients more easily, thereby promoting plant growth.
In addition, ammonium nitrate is also used in the mining industry, particularly in the production of industrial explosives. This substance is often mixed with other components to create explosive mixtures used in tasks such as quarrying, tunneling, and large-scale construction projects. The combination of ammonium nitrate with other substances creates a powerful explosive mixture capable of effectively breaking hard materials.
Some other industries also use ammonium nitrate in various production processes. For example, in the chemical industry, it can be used to produce other nitrate compounds or in chemical reaction processes. However, due to the explosive and dangerous nature of ammonium nitrate, its use requires strict safety measures to protect workers and the environment.
4. How does Ammonium nitrate affect workers?
When workers are exposed to ammonium nitrate, they may experience several negative health effects, especially when safety measures are not fully followed. These effects can appear immediately or accumulate over the long term, depending on the level of exposure and working conditions.
Regarding respiration, inhaling ammonium nitrate dust or toxic gases from the production process can cause respiratory irritation. Workers may experience symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or a scratchy sensation in the throat. In particular, prolonged or high-concentration exposure can lead to pneumonia, asthma, or other serious respiratory problems.
Furthermore, ammonium nitrate can also affect the nervous system of workers. Studies show that long-term exposure to this substance can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or dizziness. These effects often occur in poorly ventilated work environments or when personal protective equipment is inadequate.
In terms of dermatology, if ammonium nitrate comes into direct contact with the skin, it can cause irritation or dermatitis. Workers in environments with a risk of direct contact with ammonium nitrate need to pay attention to protecting their bodies and adhering to regulations on protective clothing.
Another notable impact is the risk of poisoning from exposure to ammonium nitrate during work. Inhaling or ingesting this substance can lead to poisoning symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or even liver and kidney failure if not treated promptly.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ammonium nitrate for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of ammonium nitrate for human exposure is typically regulated by occupational health and safety organizations, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). These standards are established based on studies of the health effects of ammonium nitrate on workers under various conditions.
According to safety regulations, the concentration of ammonium nitrate in the air should not exceed 10 mg/m³ for workers over an 8-hour work shift. This concentration level has been determined not to cause serious negative health effects for workers when protective measures are fully followed.
However, this level may vary depending on the country and the specific safety standards of each industry.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Ammonium nitrate. Organizations like 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 Ammonium nitrate on workers
To minimize the health effects of ammonium nitrate on workers, implementing safety and preventive measures is very important. First and foremost, providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers is the most basic factor. People working in environments with a risk of exposure to ammonium nitrate need to be equipped with specialized masks to protect the respiratory system, gloves, protective clothing, and safety glasses to avoid direct contact with the chemical. In particular, protective clothing should be made of waterproof material to minimize skin contact with the chemical.
Besides that, improving the ventilation system in the production area is an important measure to help reduce the concentration of ammonium nitrate in the air, ensure fresh air, and minimize the risk of inhaling dust or toxic gases. Air filtration systems and ventilation fans need to be maintained and inspected regularly to ensure their effectiveness.
Factories and production areas also need to implement regular checks and monitoring of ammonium nitrate concentrations in the air. This helps to promptly detect changes in hazard levels, allowing for immediate adjustments to protect workers’ health.
In addition, occupational safety training and education for employees are an important part of minimizing health risks. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge on how to handle and respond to incidents, such as spills or leaks of ammonium nitrate. They also need to be instructed on first aid procedures and how to handle exposure to this substance.
Finally, factories need to strictly adhere to safety regulations and standards in production, while regularly checking and improving workplace environmental protection measures. This will help create a safer working environment, minimizing adverse effects on 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 should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, to collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of risk 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 the supervision and measurement of occupational environment quality 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 issues related to the occupational environment. 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, 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 expertise and a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet’s 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 quotation table for high-quality and reasonably priced occupational 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 provide advice and answer any questions about our 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.
