Working environment factors
How does Arsenic trioxide affect workers’ health?
Dec
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a hazardous chemical that can cause serious harm to the health of workers. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the impact of arsenic trioxide on the body, the potential risks in manufacturing plants, and how to protect the health of workers exposed to this substance.
1. What is Arsenic trioxide?
Arsenic trioxide, with the chemical formula As2O3, is an inorganic compound containing the element arsenic (As) combined with oxygen (O). It is a white solid that can exist in the form of powder or crystals. Arsenic trioxide is typically produced by roasting arsenopyrite ore or other arsenic compounds in low-oxygen conditions.
This substance is highly toxic and is one of the most common arsenic-containing compounds in industry. Arsenic trioxide is used in various fields, including the production of cancer treatment drugs, but it is also an extremely dangerous poison when the human body is exposed to it over a long period. Companies that produce or use arsenic trioxide must have occupational safety measures in place to limit the risk of harm to workers’ health.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Asen trioxit | Arsenic trioxide | 28112990 | 1327-53-3 | As2O3 |
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2. Where does Arsenic trioxide originate from in the production process?
During the production process, the primary source of arsenic trioxide comes from the mining and processing of arsenic-containing ores, such as arsenopyrite. When this ore is heated in a low-oxygen environment, arsenic trioxide is created as a gas and then condenses into a solid. Additionally, arsenic trioxide can also appear in metal production processes, such as the production of copper and gold, where arsenic is an unavoidable impurity.
In the chemical industries, this substance can also arise from the production processes of pharmaceuticals, especially when arsenic is used as a raw material in certain types of cancer treatment drugs.
3. Industries that use Arsenic trioxide in production
Many industries use arsenic trioxide in their production processes due to its special properties. One of the main industries is pharmaceuticals, especially in cancer treatment, where arsenic trioxide is used as a component in drugs for treating blood cancers, such as leukemia.
In addition, arsenic trioxide is also applied in the metal production industry, particularly in the production of gold and copper, where arsenic is an unavoidable impurity. In the chemical industry, this compound is used in the production of other arsenic compounds, as well as in the timber industry, to treat wood against termites.
Other industries, such as glass manufacturing and pesticide production, may also use arsenic trioxide in some specific production processes.
4. How does Arsenic trioxide affect workers?
When exposed to arsenic trioxide, workers can face many serious health risks. This compound easily enters the body through the respiratory tract when arsenic trioxide dust or vapor is inhaled in the workplace. If inhaled over a long period, it can cause lung damage, pneumonia, or chronic respiratory diseases. Furthermore, arsenic trioxide can also penetrate the body through the skin upon direct contact, causing skin irritation, dermatitis, or other health problems.
Workers in industries that use arsenic trioxide are also at risk of acute or chronic poisoning. Symptoms of acute poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headaches. in cases of prolonged exposure or high concentrations of arsenic trioxide, it can cause severe damage to internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart, while also increasing the risk of cancer, especially lung and skin cancer.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Arsenic trioxide for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of arsenic trioxide for human exposure is regulated by international health and occupational safety organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These organizations indicate that the maximum concentration of arsenic trioxide in the workplace air should not exceed 0.01 mg/m³ during a work hour. This is the maximum level to which a worker can be exposed without facing serious health risks.
Furthermore, according to these regulations, long-term exposure (under 8 hours per day) should not exceed this concentration to minimize the potential for health damage. If the concentration of arsenic trioxide exceeds this safe limit, protective measures such as respirators, ventilation systems, and other personal protective equipment must be applied 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 Arsenic trioxide. 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 Arsenic trioxide on workers
To minimize the health effects of arsenic trioxide on workers, applying safety measures in the workplace is extremely important. First and foremost, companies must ensure that the work environment always has an effective ventilation system, which helps to reduce the concentration of arsenic trioxide in the air, especially in high-risk areas like production rooms and chemical storage areas.
Besides that, equipping workers with personal protective equipment is an indispensable factor. Specifically, workers must wear specialized respirators when working in an environment with arsenic trioxide. Additionally, the use of protective gear such as gloves, protective clothing, and safety glasses is necessary to prevent direct contact with this substance.
Training and raising awareness for workers is also a crucial part of minimizing the impact of arsenic trioxide. Workers need to be trained on the health risks associated with arsenic trioxide and preventive measures, helping them to understand and strictly adhere to safety regulations. Finally, the company also needs to conduct periodic health check-ups for employees to promptly detect signs of poisoning and take early action.
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.
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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.
