Working environment factors
How does Phosphorus Trihydride (Phosphine) affect workers’ health?
Jan
Phosphine (PH₃) – a hazardous chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants, can severely affect the health of workers. This article will provide a deep insight into the effects of Phosphine and how to protect your health when working in this environment.
1. What is Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine)?
Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine), with the chemical formula PH₃, is a chemical compound containing the elements phosphorus and hydrogen. It is a colorless gas with a characteristic foul odor, similar to the smell of garlic, and is highly toxic to humans when inhaled. Phosphine is produced in chemical processes, such as the reaction between phosphorus and water, or in aluminum and copper production plants and other industries.
Phosphine (PH₃) – a hazardous chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants, can severely affect the health of workers. This article will provide a deep insight into the effects of Phosphine and how to protect your health when working in this environment.
1. What is Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine)?
Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine), with the chemical formula PH₃, is a chemical compound containing the elements phosphorus and hydrogen. It is a colorless gas with a characteristic foul odor, similar to the smell of garlic, and is highly toxic to humans when inhaled. Phosphine is produced in chemical processes, such as the reaction between phosphorus and water, or in aluminum and copper production plants and other industries.
Structurally, each phosphine molecule consists of one phosphorus atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The phosphorus atom in PH₃ has an oxidation state of -3, and the bonds between phosphorus and hydrogen are single bonds, creating an unstable gas molecule in the air. Although it evaporates easily and exists as a gas at room temperature, phosphine is not stable and can decompose when exposed to certain chemical agents.
Phosphine is mainly used in industries such as pesticides, metal production, and in scientific research. However, due to its toxicity and high potential for poisoning, the use and handling of phosphine must be strictly controlled to avoid dangers to human health and the environment.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Photpho trihydrua (photphin) | Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) | 28480000 | 7803-51-2 | PH₃ |
See more about our chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) originate from in the production process?
In industrial production, phosphine gas can arise from various sources. One of the main sources is the chemical reaction between phosphorus and hydrogen-containing compounds. Specifically, during the production or processing of metals like aluminum, copper, or other phosphorus compounds, phosphine can be generated when phosphorus reacts with substances containing water or hydrogen.
In addition, phosphine can also be generated in pesticide manufacturing plants, where it is used as a fumigant. In this process, phosphorus is often combined with other substances to create phosphine, especially in high-humidity environments. This process can produce phosphine as an unwanted byproduct, posing a health risk to workers if not strictly controlled.
Some phosphorus production plants may also generate phosphine during the processing and refining of phosphorus compounds. This process requires special conditions, but without protective measures, phosphine gas can easily escape and endanger the work environment.
3. Industries that use Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) in production
Phosphine is used in many different industries, especially in the manufacturing and processing sectors. In the pesticide industry, phosphine is a key component in fumigant products, helping to eliminate termites, weevils, and other pests in stored agricultural products. The use of phosphine in pesticide production requires a specific humidity and temperature environment to help the gas work effectively in controlling harmful pests.
The metal processing industry is also a place where phosphine is generated, especially during the production of phosphorus compounds or when processing metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc. In these plants, phosphine can be produced from chemical reactions between phosphorus and substances containing water, hydrogen, or other compounds. Additionally, during metal refining or the production of phosphorus compounds, phosphine can also be created as a byproduct.
Another industry that uses phosphine is the manufacturing of organophosphorus compounds, which include substances used in the electronics industry, the creation of fertilizer compounds, and the production of special polymers. These industries require phosphine to synthesize complex organic compounds, which play an important role in manufacturing electronic products and high-quality materials.
Furthermore, phosphine is also used in the food industry, particularly in the processing and preservation of grains, to prevent the growth of harmful pests. In processing plants, phosphine helps protect food from damage caused by weevils, insects, and microorganisms.
4. How does Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) affect workers?
When workers are exposed to phosphine gas, serious health effects can occur. It is an extremely toxic substance that can cause poisoning through the respiratory tract, especially when the concentration of phosphine in the air exceeds permissible levels. When inhaled, phosphine enters the body through the lungs, affecting the respiratory system and causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
In addition to its effects on the respiratory system, phosphine gas can also affect the central nervous system. Workers may experience dizziness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue when exposed to this gas. These symptoms can become more severe if exposure is prolonged or not treated promptly. Some cases of long-term exposure to phosphine have also led to problems with memory, mental state, and concentration.
Phosphine can also cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact during work. Symptoms may include dermatitis, redness, and a burning sensation in the eyes. For those working in environments where phosphine is used, protective measures such as using personal protective equipment and appropriate ventilation systems are crucial to minimize these effects.
Beyond the direct impacts, exposure to phosphine also increases the risk of chronic respiratory and neurological diseases, affecting the long-term health of workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) for human exposure
The safe concentration of phosphine for human exposure must be strictly controlled to ensure worker health. According to international standards, the maximum concentration of phosphine in the air should not exceed 0.3 parts per million (ppm) during the workday. This is the level recommended by occupational safety authorities to minimize the risk of poisoning and adverse health effects.
Phosphine concentrations higher than this level can cause severe poisoning symptoms, especially when workers have long-term exposure or work in conditions without protective measures. At concentrations of 1 ppm or higher, workers may begin to experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, and headaches. When the phosphine concentration reaches 5 ppm or more, poisoning symptoms can become more severe, including coughing, wheezing, nausea, and fatigue.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine). Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide safety guidelines and principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the influence of Phosphorus trihydride (phosphine) on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of phosphine on workers, preventive measures and control of the work environment are crucial. First and foremost, ensuring good ventilation in areas where phosphine is used is essential. The ventilation system must be designed to reduce the concentration of phosphine gas in the air, especially in work areas with high usage of this substance, such as pesticide manufacturing or metal processing plants.
In addition, workers must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment to protect against the direct effects of phosphine. This protective gear includes respirators with specialized filters, gloves, boots, and sealed protective clothing to prevent direct contact with the toxic gas. The use of this personal protective equipment is mandatory when working in a high-risk environment with potential phosphine exposure.
Training and education measures also play a significant role in reducing the impact of phosphine gas. Workers need to be instructed on the signs and symptoms of phosphine poisoning so they can recognize them early and respond promptly in case of an incident. Furthermore, regular training sessions on occupational safety and emergency procedures should be organized to help employees master effective responses if phosphine concentrations exceed safe levels.
Finally, inspecting and maintaining safety equipment, such as phosphine gas concentration monitors, is also an important measure. These devices help monitor and provide warnings when gas concentrations exceed permissible limits, allowing for timely adjustments of protective measures to prevent the risk of poisoning for workers.
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 factors harmful to workers, and then adjust to reduce the hazard level 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 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 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. You will also get the best offers on costs.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, we at Nam Viet provide our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes all 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.
