Working environment factors
How does Formaldehyde (Concentration ≥ 90%) affect workers’ health?
Dec
Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) is a toxic chemical often present in manufacturing plants. This article will help you understand the impact of Formaldehyde on workers’ health, the dangerous symptoms, and the necessary protective measures to minimize risks in the work environment.
1. What is Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%)?
Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) with the chemical formula CH₂O is an organic compound containing an aldehyde group (-CHO). It is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor, commonly used in industry as a preservative, disinfectant, and in the production of chemical products such as resins, plywood, and other building materials.
Formaldehyde has quite strong chemical properties and is readily soluble in water, forming a formalin solution, which is widely used in laboratories and industry. At a concentration above 90%, Formaldehyde is a very toxic substance and can cause many adverse effects on human health, especially with long-term exposure in an uncontrolled environment.
Formaldehyde is a simple compound but has very broad applications. However, due to its volatile nature and its ability to cause strong irritation to the respiratory organs, eyes, and skin, the control and proper use of Formaldehyde in the workplace are very important.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Formaldehit (Nồng độ ≥ 90%) | Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) | 29121110 | 50-00-0 | CH₂O |
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2. Where does Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) originate from in the production process?
During production, high-concentration formaldehyde often arises from the processing of building materials, such as plywood, engineered wood, and plastic products. This substance can also be generated in chemical industries during the synthesis of resins, textiles, and the production of preservatives.
When using compounds containing formaldehyde or when carrying out production processes at high temperatures, formaldehyde easily vaporizes into the air, polluting the work environment. In addition, formaldehyde can also be generated during the combustion of materials containing this compound, especially in industries related to wood or paper.
Another significant source is in the processes of preserving or treating biological products, such as when formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant in laboratories or in the medical industry.
3. Industries that use Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) in production
Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) is widely used in many manufacturing industries. One of the industries that use this chemical is the production of plywood and engineered wood, where formaldehyde plays a crucial role in producing adhesive resins that bind the layers of wood. Products from engineered wood, such as plywood panels, MDF boards, and other laminated wood products, may contain formaldehyde to improve durability and adhesion.
In the plastics industry, formaldehyde is a raw material for producing synthetic resins like urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde. These types of resins are used in the manufacturing of household goods, electronic components, and construction products. In addition, formaldehyde is also an important component in the production of paints, glues, and insulating materials.
The textile industry is also a sector that uses formaldehyde to treat fabrics, making them more durable and less prone to wrinkling. Formaldehyde in this industry is often used in fabric finishing processes, such as for anti-wrinkle, anti-shrink, and stain-resistant treatments.
Furthermore, formaldehyde is also applied in the production of preservatives in the medical industry and laboratories, where it acts as a disinfectant and preservative for biological specimens.
4. How does Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) affect workers?
When workers are exposed to formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) in the workplace, especially in manufacturing plants that use this chemical, their health can be severely affected. Formaldehyde is a strong irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. When inhaling formaldehyde vapor, workers may experience symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, or irritation of the nose and throat. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde can lead to more serious problems such as pneumonia, asthma, or other lung diseases.
For the skin, formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions such as rashes, dermatitis, or itching, especially with direct and prolonged contact. In addition, formaldehyde is also considered a carcinogen, and some studies have shown that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of this substance can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly cancer of the nose and throat.
Workers in industries that use formaldehyde may also experience nervous system problems, such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) for human exposure depends on the regulations and standards of each country, but in general, this safety level is very strict. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued guidelines on permissible formaldehyde concentrations in the workplace air.
According to these regulations, the level of formaldehyde in the air should not exceed 0.1 ppm (parts per million) for long-term exposure, i.e., 8 hours per day. For shorter periods, such as 15 minutes, the formaldehyde concentration should not exceed 0.3 ppm. These limits are established to minimize health risks to workers and ensure they are not overexposed to formaldehyde, avoiding adverse health effects. However, a formaldehyde concentration exceeding 90% in products or in the production environment is very high and exceeds the permissible safety threshold.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Formaldehyde (Conc. ≥ 90%). 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 effects of Formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of formaldehyde (Conc. > 90%) on workers, protective and control measures are extremely important. One of the main measures is to improve the ventilation system in production areas, which helps reduce the concentration of formaldehyde in the air and makes the work environment safer. A good ventilation system will help remove formaldehyde from the air while supplying clean air to the workers.
Using personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing is also a necessary measure to minimize direct contact with formaldehyde. Respirators must be specially designed to filter formaldehyde particles from the air, protecting the workers’ respiratory systems. In addition, regularly checking the concentration of formaldehyde in the air and implementing mitigation measures when the concentration exceeds safe levels is very important.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness among workers about the harms of formaldehyde and how to prevent them also play a crucial role in protecting their health. Workers need to be trained on the proper use of protective equipment and be aware of the importance of adhering to safety procedures when working with this hazardous chemical.
Finally, production facilities must strictly adhere to occupational safety regulations, especially for industries using high concentrations of formaldehyde. Applying safe production technologies, limiting the use of formaldehyde, or replacing it with less toxic alternatives are also long-term solutions to protect workers’ health.
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
The occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the occupational 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 commits 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. 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 offers our valued customers a price list for occupational environment monitoring services that is high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our quotation 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 consultation 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 service quality.
