Working environment factors
How does Tetrafluoro Ethylene affect workers’ health?
Feb
Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C2F4) is a common chemical in the manufacturing industry, but how does it affect the health of workers? This article will analyze the impact of C2F4 on worker health, from the risk of poisoning to long-term medical conditions.
1. What is Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-)?
Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄), also known as ethene tetrafluoro, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₂F₄, consisting of two carbon atoms and four fluorine atoms. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is insoluble in water and has a melting point of about -142.5°C and a boiling point of about -76.3°C.
Tetrafluoro Ethylene is used primarily in industry to produce fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known by the trade name Teflon. PTFE has many applications in various industries due to its non-stick and high-temperature resistant properties.
Tetrafluoro Ethylene is produced mainly through the pyrolysis of chloroform, in which chloroform reacts with hydrogen fluoride to produce chlorodifluoromethane, which then undergoes thermal decomposition to create Tetrafluoro Ethylene.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Tetraflo Etylen | Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) | 29033990 | 116-14-3 | C2F4 |
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2. Where does Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) originate from in the production process?
During the production process, Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄) is mainly created through the chemical reaction between chloroform (CHCl₃) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). This process begins with chloroform reacting with hydrogen fluoride to produce chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF₂). Subsequently, chlorodifluoromethane undergoes a thermal decomposition process, leading to the formation of Tetrafluoro Ethylene.
3. Industries that use Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) in production
Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄) is the primary raw material for producing Tetrafluoro Ethylene (PTFE), a type of fluoropolymer known by the trade name Teflon. Thanks to its superior non-stick, heat-resistant, and chemical-resistant properties, PTFE is widely used in many industries.
In the oil and gas industry, PTFE is used to manufacture components such as pipes, gaskets, and seals, thanks to its ability to withstand heat and corrosion. In the electronics industry, PTFE is used to produce cables, protective coatings, and insulating materials, helping to ensure the safety and performance of electronic devices. The automotive industry also uses PTFE in parts like exhaust pipes and other high-temperature components, due to its heat and corrosion resistance. In the medical field, PTFE is used to make tubing, protective membranes, and parts of surgical instruments, thanks to its inertness and safety for the human body. Additionally, PTFE is also used in the food industry to create non-stick surfaces for cookware, such as non-stick pans and baking molds, which makes cleaning easy and ensures food safety.
4. How does Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) affect workers?
During the production process, Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄) can affect the health of workers through direct contact with its gas or vapor. This exposure can lead to irritation symptoms such as red and itchy eyes, skin rashes, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and difficulty breathing during or after work hours. These irritations usually subside when contact with the chemical is discontinued.
To minimize risks, workers should inform their employer about any workplace chemicals that cause health problems and see a medical professional immediately. If exposure to the chemical continues, the uncomfortable symptoms may persist. Limiting the use of and using less hazardous chemicals is the best way to ensure that the health of workers, the community, and the environment are minimally affected.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) for human exposure
According to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 03:2019/BYT, the permissible exposure limit for Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄) in the workplace air is regulated as follows:
Work shift exposure limit (TWA – Time Weighted Average): The average concentration of C₂F₄ in the air must not exceed 10 ppm (parts per million) over an 8-hour work shift.
Short-term exposure limit (STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit): The average concentration of C₂F₄ in the air must not exceed 15 ppm over a 15-minute period.
Compliance with these limits is necessary to protect the health of workers when exposed to C₂F₄ in the work environment.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Tetrafluoro Ethylene is important. Organizations like 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 health effects of Tetrafluoro Ethylene (Ethene, tetrafluoro-) on workers
To minimize the health effects of Tetrafluoro Ethylene (C₂F₄) on workers, applying safety measures in the work environment is extremely important.
First, a chemical risk assessment should be conducted to identify and control hazards, thereby minimizing risks and ensuring a safe working environment.
Next, applying engineering measures such as effective ventilation, using toxic gas extraction systems, and enclosing areas where C₂F₄ is generated is necessary to reduce the chemical concentration in the air.
In addition, providing personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing helps prevent direct contact with C₂F₄.
Finally, adhering to safety procedures and regularly monitoring the occupational environment to ensure that the C₂F₄ concentration does not exceed the permissible limit will protect the health of 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 compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for 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.
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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 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 options 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 cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table provides detailed information about 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 quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
