Working environment factors
How does Hydrogen Fluoride affect workers’ health?
Jan
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a hazardous chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants. This article will help you understand the effects of HF on workers’ health, from symptoms of poisoning to preventive measures, in order to protect health in the working environment.
1. What is Hydrogen fluoride?
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula HF. It is a strong inorganic acid that exists as a gas or an aqueous solution. In its gaseous form, HF can dissolve in water to form hydrofluoric acid (HF). This substance is highly corrosive and can strongly affect materials such as metals, glass, and many other substances.
Hydrogen Fluoride is one of the most toxic and dangerous chemicals because it can cause burns and seriously affect the respiratory system upon direct contact. Although it is commonly used in industries such as metal production, oil and gas refining, or the manufacturing of plastics and chemicals, its hazardous nature requires strict preventive measures when handling.
When dissolved in water, Hydrogen Fluoride forms fluoride ions (F-) and hydronium ions (H3O+), producing hydrofluoric acid, a substance with strong corrosive properties that adversely affects living tissues. Therefore, understanding the properties of Hydrogen Fluoride is crucial to ensure safety during the use and handling of this chemical in production facilities.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Hydro florua | Hydrogen fluoride | 28111100 | 7664-39-3 | HF |
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 does Hydrogen fluoride originate from in the production process?
During the production process, this compound can be generated from various sources, depending on the specific industry. In aluminum production plants, for example, Hydrogen Fluoride is released during the mining and processing of bauxite ore into aluminum. When processing bauxite, fluoride-containing compounds, including hydrogen fluoride, can be created under the influence of heat and the chemicals used in the production process.
Additionally, in phosphorus production plants, the use of fluorine-containing compounds can also lead to the formation of Hydrogen Fluoride. In fertilizer production processes, especially superphosphate fertilizers, a certain amount of hydrogen fluoride can also be generated. Besides, during oil and gas refining and the production of other chemicals, Hydrogen Fluoride can be released due to the reaction of fluorinating agents with organic compounds.
Production facilities can also generate Hydrogen Fluoride during exhaust gas and wastewater treatment processes, when fluorine-containing substances are released into the environment.
3. Industries that use Hydrogen fluoride in production
This chemical is widely used in many different industries, mainly in production processes that require cleaning, processing, or chemical reactions with fluorine compounds. In the aluminum industry, Hydrogen Fluoride is a key component in processing bauxite ore into pure aluminum. This process requires the use of hydrogen fluoride to separate aluminum from other impurities in the ore.
Besides the aluminum industry, Hydrogen Fluoride also plays an important role in the phosphorus processing industry, especially in the production of superphosphate fertilizer. In this process, hydrogen fluoride is used to convert phosphorus compounds into a form that can be used in fertilizers. These fertilizer plants must handle large amounts of hydrogen fluoride to ensure it does not cause environmental pollution and affect workers’ health.
The chemical manufacturing industries also use Hydrogen Fluoride in various applications, such as in the production of Teflon and other fluorine-containing polymers. Hydrogen fluoride is also used in the oil and gas industry, especially in drilling and petroleum refining processes, where fluorinating agents are necessary for cleaning and processing crude oil.
In addition, Hydrogen Fluoride is used in the electronics industry, especially in the production of semiconductor components, where a clean and impurity-free environment is required. This chemical is also present in the mining and metal processing industries, particularly in processes that require the action of a strong acid to treat metal surfaces.
4. How does Hydrogen fluoride affect workers?
When workers are exposed to this chemical, negative health effects can occur even with very low levels of exposure. Inhaling Hydrogen Fluoride vapor can cause severe irritation to the respiratory system. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, sore throat, and in severe cases, can lead to pulmonary edema or respiratory failure. Skin contact can also cause chemical burns, as Hydrogen Fluoride is highly corrosive and can penetrate the epidermis, causing deep damage to soft tissues, and even leading to necrosis.
If this chemical comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause severe irritation and burns, damaging the cornea and other eye structures. These injuries can have long-term effects on vision if not treated promptly. In some cases, exposure to Hydrogen Fluoride can lead to nerve damage, especially when the amount of fluoride in the body accumulates excessively.
Hydrogen Fluoride can also cause bone and nervous system problems in cases of chronic poisoning, as fluoride ions can accumulate in the body over time. Workers in environments with high Hydrogen Fluoride concentrations and inadequate protection are at risk of affecting their skeletal system, reducing bone density and causing osteoporosis. Additionally, excessively high fluoride levels in the blood can affect kidney function, causing kidney failure and metabolism-related issues.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Hydrogen fluoride for human exposure
The safe concentration for exposure to this chemical is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations to protect workers’ health in the workplace. According to international standards, the concentration of hydrogen fluoride in the air should not exceed 0.5 ppm (parts per million) over an 8-hour workday, equivalent to 0.7 mg/m³. This is the maximum concentration that workers can be exposed to without significant harm to their health during a normal work shift.
For shorter periods, the permissible concentration may be higher but must adhere to other limits. For example, for short-term exposure of about 15 minutes, the maximum concentration can be up to 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m³). However, maintaining this level of exposure is only allowed for a very short time and should not be prolonged throughout the work shift.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Hydrogen fluoride. 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 fluoride on workers
To minimize the health effects of this chemical on workers, preventive and control measures in the workplace are crucial. One of the first measures is to ensure an effective ventilation system to reduce the concentration of Hydrogen Fluoride in the air. Installing ventilation systems that extract dust and toxic gases and ensuring the workspace is always well-ventilated will help limit the risk of inhaling Hydrogen Fluoride vapor during work.
In addition, workers must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment, such as respirators, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and specialized protective clothing. This equipment helps limit direct contact with Hydrogen Fluoride and prevents the chemical from penetrating the skin or coming into contact with the eyes. In particular, protective gear should be regularly inspected and replaced to ensure the highest level of protection.
Besides using personal protective equipment, training and educating workers on safe procedures when working with Hydrogen Fluoride is also an essential factor. Workers must be equipped with knowledge about the risks associated with Hydrogen Fluoride, how to recognize signs of poisoning, and how to respond in case of an incident. Having adequate first-aid measures, such as available eye and skin wash solutions, is also an important part of occupational safety.
Finally, regular monitoring of Hydrogen Fluoride concentrations in the work environment is a necessary element to ensure that chemical levels remain within safe limits. Production facilities must conduct periodic inspections and take timely measures to address any instances where Hydrogen Fluoride concentrations exceed permissible limits.
Occupational safety training: Workers must 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.
