How does Diborane affect workers’ health?

How does Diborane affect workers' health?

Diborane (B2H6) is a hazardous chemical commonly used in manufacturing plants, but few people are fully aware of its impact on worker health. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the potential risks and how to protect workers when working with Diborane.

1. What is Diborane?

The chemical formula B2H6 represents Diborane, a chemical compound consisting of two boron (B) atoms and six hydrogen (H) atoms. It is a gaseous compound that is flammable and toxic. Diborane has a unique molecular structure in which the two boron atoms are linked together through a hydrogen bridge, with each boron atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. This creates a characteristic structure for Diborane, where each boron atom does not have enough electrons to form a single bond with each hydrogen atom, leading to the formation of a hydrogen bridge between the boron atoms.

Diborane is an unstable compound under normal conditions and tends to decompose when exposed to air or high temperatures. It is known as one of the important boron compounds in the chemical industry, especially in the production of semiconductors and other boron compounds. Diborane can react vigorously with oxygen in the air, creating boron oxide compounds, and can be dangerous if not handled with care.

No. Chemical Name in Vietnamese Chemical Name in English HS Code CAS Number Chemical Formula
1. Diboran Diborane 28500000 19287-45-7 B2H6

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2. Where does Diborane originate from in the production process?

During the production process, Diborane is typically created in chemical reactions between boron and hydrogen. Specifically, when boron is treated at high temperatures in an environment containing hydrogen gas, Diborane can form. This process mainly occurs in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, battery production, and in some special chemical applications.

In addition, Diborane can also appear during the production of other boron compounds, such as borohydrides. In chemical manufacturing plants or research facilities, Diborane is created as a byproduct during the synthesis of these compounds. In some cases, Diborane gas can also be formed from the processing of boron-containing materials in complex chemical reactions, increasing the concentration of Diborane in the production environment.

The working environment in manufacturing plants that use Diborane can be the main source of this gas. Chemical reactions in production equipment and systems often lead to the emission of Diborane into the air, especially when air control measures are not adequately implemented.


3. Industries that use Diborane in production

Diborane is used primarily in industries related to semiconductor manufacturing and electronics technology. In the production of semiconductor components, this gas is used to create boron layers on the surface of semiconductor materials, a crucial step in manufacturing electronic devices such as transistors and integrated circuits.

In addition, Diborane is also used in the battery industry, especially in the production of lithium batteries. Diborane plays a role in the process of creating lithium boron compounds, which are applied in the production of rechargeable batteries for mobile electronic devices and electric vehicles. In this process, Diborane helps improve the performance of these types of batteries, particularly in enhancing energy storage capacity.

Furthermore, Diborane is also present in the chemical industries, where it is used as a raw material in the synthesis of other boron compounds, such as borohydrides. These compounds have applications in fields like catalysts, protecting metals from corrosion, and producing pesticides. Moreover, Diborane is also used in the optics industry, especially in the production of special optical materials due to its chemical properties.


4. How does Diborane affect workers?

When exposed to Diborane, workers can face many serious health risks. It is a toxic, flammable gas that can cause severe irritation to the respiratory system. When Diborane gas is inhaled, it can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. In cases of long-term exposure or at high concentrations, this gas can lead to lung damage, pneumonia, or respiratory failure.

Besides, Diborane can also have a negative impact on the nervous system, causing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nausea. Long-term exposure or exposure to high concentrations can weaken cognitive abilities and affect the central nervous system, leading to problems with thinking and reflexes.

Not only that, Diborane can also cause skin and eye irritation. If this substance comes into direct contact with the skin, it can cause burns, inflammation, or allergic reactions. In case of contact with the eyes, Diborane can cause severe eye damage, leading to redness, tearing, or even temporary blindness.


5. Permissible safe concentration of Diborane for human exposure

The safe concentration of Diborane for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations. According to international standards, the exposure limit for Diborane in the air that a worker can be exposed to long-term without causing harm to health is typically determined to be 0.1 ppm (parts per million). This is the permissible concentration level for an 8-hour workday, 5 days a week.

However, when the concentration of Diborane in the air exceeds this level, workers will face serious health risks. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can lead to acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, eye and skin irritation, and the risk of respiratory tract damage.

On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Diborane. 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 health effects of Diborane on workers

To minimize the health effects of Diborane on workers, safety measures must be strictly implemented in the workplace. One of the most important measures is to ensure an adequate ventilation system in areas where Diborane is used. Ventilation helps reduce the concentration of the gas in the air, preventing the accumulation of Diborane to levels that could be harmful to workers. Dust extraction and ventilation systems must be maintained and regularly checked to ensure they operate effectively.

In addition, workers must be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as specialized gas masks, protective gloves, and safety goggles. This equipment helps limit direct contact with Diborane, protecting health during the work process. The use of protective clothing and chemical-resistant footwear is also a necessary measure to minimize the possibility of skin contact with Diborane.

Production facilities need to implement measures to monitor the concentration of Diborane in the air and ensure that the level of this gas does not exceed the permissible safety limit. Regular gas concentration checks help to detect risky situations early and take timely intervention measures. Furthermore, training and raising awareness for workers about the dangers of Diborane and how to prevent them is also an important factor in protecting worker 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 compliance with 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 hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.


7. Nationwide Occupational Environment Monitoring Center

Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for 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 supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with 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 options possible.
  • Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
Official letter from the Department of Health agreeing to the announcement of eligibility to conduct occupational environment monitoring activities
  • 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 cost incentives.

8. Quotation for occupational environment monitoring

To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our valued customers with a price list for quality and reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring services.

  • 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. Our valued 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 monitoring price list, our valued customers can easily choose the service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with our professional quality services.

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