Working environment factors
How do Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrochloric Acid affect workers’ health?
Jan
Hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid (HCl) are two common chemicals in manufacturing plants. However, with long-term exposure to them, workers can face serious health problems. This article will analyze the impact of HCl and Hydrogen chloride on workers’ health and effective preventive measures.
1. What are Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid?
Hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid (HCl) are both two forms of a chemical compound with the formula HCl. However, they exist in different states and have distinct characteristic properties.
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a colorless gas with a pungent odor and is highly soluble in water. When in a gaseous state, HCl is not acidic, but when dissolved in water, it reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid, which is HCl acid. This explains why HCl in its gaseous form is toxic and harmful to human health, while when dissolved in water, it forms a strong acidic solution.
Hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride. It is a strong acid with high corrosivity, commonly used in industry to produce other chemicals, clean metals, and in some pharmaceutical production processes. Hydrochloric acid is also present in the human stomach, aiding in the digestion of food.
Therefore, although hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid have the same chemical formula HCl, they differ in state and properties. Hydrogen chloride is the gaseous form, while hydrochloric acid is the solution of hydrogen chloride in water, with its characteristic acidity.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Hydro clorua và axít clohydric | Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid | 28061000 | 7647-01-0 | HCl |
See more about the chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where do Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid originate from in the production process?
In industrial production processes, hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid often appear as byproducts or in special chemical reactions. In the chemical manufacturing industry, hydrogen chloride is mainly produced through the reaction between chlorine (Cl2) and hydrogen (H2). This reaction usually occurs at high temperatures and can produce hydrogen chloride gas, a colorless and pungent gas. This process typically takes place in large chemical plants where chlorine and hydrogen are produced from sources like salt and natural gas.
When hydrogen chloride dissolves in water, it becomes hydrochloric acid, which is highly corrosive. This often happens when hydrogen chloride gas comes into contact with water in piping systems, equipment, or during the treatment of industrial waste. Additionally, in industries such as PVC manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, hydrogen chloride may also be used directly in chemical reactions, creating hydrochloric acid as a byproduct or to maintain necessary reactions in the production process.
Therefore, the generation of hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid during production can come from various sources, including chemical reactions in manufacturing and the dissolution of hydrogen chloride in water.
3. Industries that use Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid in production
Hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are widely used in many different industries due to their special chemical properties. In the chemical manufacturing industry, hydrogen chloride is an important raw material for producing other chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic used in construction, healthcare, and consumer products. The production of PVC requires a large amount of hydrogen chloride because it participates in the reaction to create organochlorine compounds.
The pharmaceutical industry also uses hydrochloric acid in the drug manufacturing process, especially in the synthesis and purification of active ingredients. Hydrochloric acid is used to adjust the pH of pharmaceutical products, or in the production of injectables, tablets, and oral medications.
In the food processing industry, hydrochloric acid is used to adjust the pH in food and beverage production, especially in processes like pickling, carbonated beverage production, and industrial wastewater treatment. Hydrochloric acid is also used for cleaning and disinfection in food processing plants.
In addition, hydrochloric acid is also used in the metal industry, where it is used for rust removal and cleaning metal surfaces, especially in steel manufacturing. In steel plants, hydrogen chloride may also be used to create necessary chemical compounds during the production process.
In summary, hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are present in many industries, from chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, to metal treatment and other industrial applications.
4. How do Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid affect workers?
When workers are exposed to hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid in the workplace, they can cause serious health effects. Hydrogen chloride, in its gaseous form, easily enters the body through the respiratory tract, causing irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and lungs. With long-term exposure, workers may experience respiratory problems, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and even pneumonia or asthma.
Hydrochloric acid, when in solution form, is highly corrosive and can cause skin burns, ulceration of the eye’s mucous membranes, and irritation to any part in direct contact. Workers exposed to hydrochloric acid without proper protective measures are prone to dermatitis or tissue damage, especially when the skin is wet or in prolonged contact.
The effects of hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid also extend to the digestive system when workers accidentally inhale the gas or swallow the solution. Inhaling high concentrations of hydrogen chloride can cause severe irritation to the lungs and respiratory system, increasing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic respiratory issues. Exposure to hydrochloric acid through the digestive tract can also cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and even stomach ulcers in severe cases.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid for human exposure
The safe concentration of hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid for human exposure depends on factors such as exposure time, method of contact (inhalation, skin or eye contact), and level of personal protection. According to international occupational safety standards, the maximum concentration of hydrogen chloride in the air should not exceed 5 ppm (parts per million) in the workplace. This is the permissible safe level for workers exposed over a long period without causing serious health effects.
For hydrochloric acid in solution form, the safe concentration is determined by regulations on skin and eye protection. Standards usually recommend that the concentration of hydrochloric acid in solution should not exceed 1% to avoid causing skin burns or eye damage.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid. 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 Hydrogen chloride and Hydrochloric acid on workers
To minimize the effects of hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid on workers’ health, protective measures and control of the work environment are extremely important. One of the main measures is to improve ventilation in work areas to reduce the concentration of hydrogen chloride gas in the air. Natural or mechanical ventilation systems should be installed and operated properly to ensure fresh air and prevent the accumulation of hydrogen chloride gas in confined spaces.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment is essential. Workers should wear respirators or specialized masks to prevent inhalation of hydrogen chloride gas. Safety goggles and acid-resistant gloves also help protect the eyes and skin from burns or damage upon contact with hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, using protective clothing and safety shoes can minimize the risk of direct contact with these chemicals.
To protect long-term health, monitoring the concentration of hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid in the air is also very important. Gas concentration measuring devices should be used regularly to detect early levels of contamination and make timely adjustments. Emergency measures such as water spray systems or neutralizing solutions should be available to reduce the acid concentration in the air or on surfaces in case of a leak.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness among workers about the risks of exposure to hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid is necessary. Workers need to be instructed on preventive measures, proper use of protective equipment, and procedures for handling incidents. Occupational safety training programs should also be organized periodically to ensure everyone is always ready to respond to hazardous situations.
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 adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, and from there, adjust to reduce the level of harm 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 SERVICES
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 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. 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 customers 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. 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, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing you the highest satisfaction with our professional service quality.
