Working environment factors
How does Sulfur Trioxide affect workers’ health?
Jan
Sulfur trioxide (SO₃) is a hazardous chemical, especially in manufacturing plants. This article will explore the adverse effects of SO₃ on the health of workers, from respiratory issues to dangerous diseases, as well as preventive measures to protect health in the workplace.
1. What is Sulfur trioxide?
Sulfur trioxide, with the chemical formula SO₃, is a chemical compound of sulfur and oxygen. It is a colorless gas or can appear in liquid form at low temperatures. SO₃ has very strong properties, readily reacts with water to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), a strong and highly corrosive acid. Sulfur trioxide is produced mainly in industrial processes, especially in the production of sulfuric acid, one of the most important chemicals in the chemical industry.
SO₃ can be prepared by oxidizing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in a process called the contact process, in which sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen from the air to create sulfur trioxide. This gas easily combines with water vapor in the air to form sulfuric acid, so it can be harmful to human health upon direct contact.
With its strong corrosive properties, sulfur trioxide needs to be handled carefully in factories and production environments. Therefore, a clear understanding of the nature and chemical properties of SO₃ is very important to ensure occupational safety in industries that use this chemical.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Lưu huỳnh trioxit | Sulfur trioxide | 28112990 | 7446-11-9 | SO₃ |
See more chemical safety training services under Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Sulfur trioxide originate from in the production process?
During production, the main source of sulfur trioxide is typically related to chemical reactions in sulfuric acid manufacturing plants. This substance is created when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is oxidized by oxygen from the air. This process usually takes place in contact process reactors, where temperature and pressure conditions are adjusted to optimize production efficiency.
In addition, sulfur trioxide can also arise from other sources such as the combustion of sulfur-containing fuels or other industrial processes involving sulfur and oxygen. In sulfuric acid plants, large amounts of sulfur trioxide can be released from smoke, dust, and exhaust gases during production, especially when filtration equipment is not operating effectively.
Therefore, sulfur trioxide not only appears in the main production steps but can also be generated during the operation and maintenance of industrial equipment related to sulfur.
3. Industries that use Sulfur trioxide in production
Sulfur trioxide is primarily used in industries that produce sulfuric acid, one of the most important chemicals in many fields. The chemical industry is the largest user, especially in the production of sulfuric acid for applications in manufacturing fertilizers, detergents, food preservatives, and wastewater treatment. Sulfuric acid is also used in the textile industry for dyeing fabrics, in paper production for bleaching, and in the petroleum industry for refining oil.
Besides that, in the metal industry, sulfur trioxide also plays an important role in the production of alloys and anti-corrosion agents. The glass manufacturing industry also uses sulfuric acid in processing steps to produce special types of glass.
In addition to the industries above, sulfur trioxide also has applications in the rubber, pharmaceutical, and food industries, where it participates in processing and production processes. In power plants, the combustion of fossil fuels can also produce sulfur trioxide as a byproduct in flue gases.
4. How does Sulfur trioxide affect workers?
When workers are exposed to sulfur trioxide, especially in improperly protected work environments, they can face many serious health problems. This substance is highly corrosive, causing direct harm to soft tissues, particularly the respiratory system. When sulfur trioxide gas is inhaled, it can irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, a burning sensation in the throat, and even chemical pneumonia.
Furthermore, with long-term exposure to the gas or compounds containing sulfur trioxide, workers can develop more serious problems such as chronic bronchitis or respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The substance can also cause eye damage, leading to temporary blindness or permanent injury upon direct contact.
In the case of contact with sulfur trioxide in its liquid form, it can cause severe burns on the skin and any tissues it touches, due to its extremely high corrosive properties.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Sulfur trioxide for human exposure
According to occupational safety standards, the maximum permissible concentration of sulfur trioxide in the workplace air is regulated by agencies such as OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Specifically, the concentration of sulfur trioxide should not exceed 0.2 ppm (parts per million) in the air to ensure the health and safety of workers.
When the concentration of sulfur trioxide exceeds this level, the risk of respiratory irritation, pneumonia, and other serious health problems increases.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Sulfur 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 impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Sulfur trioxide on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of sulfur trioxide on workers, strict safety measures must be implemented in the workplace. One of the most important measures is to improve the ventilation system in manufacturing plants, ensuring that the air in work areas is constantly renewed and well-circulated, which helps limit the accumulation of the toxic gas.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment is extremely necessary. Workers need to be equipped with gas-resistant masks, eye protection, and full-body protective clothing to minimize direct contact with sulfur trioxide. Toxic gas warning systems should also be installed so that workers can be alerted when the concentration of SO₃ in the air exceeds safe levels.
Furthermore, training and raising awareness among workers about the health risks associated with sulfur trioxide is very important. Workers need to clearly understand the safety measures when working in an environment where SO₃ is present and must know how to react quickly in case of an incident.
Finally, production facilities must strictly adhere to regulations on pollution control and emissions management, implementing environmental protection measures such as treating exhaust gases before releasing them into the atmosphere, to minimize the impact of sulfur trioxide on both workers and the community.
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.
